Lymphoepithelioma
Encyclopedia
For more information on this topic, see Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Lymphoepithelioma is a type of poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma
characterized by prominent infiltration of lymphocyte
s in the area involved by tumor
. Lymphoepithelioma is also known as "class III nasopharyngeal carcinoma" in the WHO
classification system. Most cases are associated with Epstein-Barr virus
infection.
Lymphoepithelioma may also be referred to as Schmincke-Regaud tumor, after the German pathologist Alexander Schminke and French radiologist Claude Regaud.
Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma
s are carcinoma
s that arise outside of the nasopharynx, but resemble a lymphoepithelioma histologically. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas may be found in almost any epithelial organ, including the lung
, thymus
, breast
, colon
, endometrium
, prostate
, and skin
.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most common cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the pharynx , behind the nose where the nasal passages and auditory tubes join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract. NPC differs significantly from other cancers of the head and neck...
Lymphoepithelioma is a type of poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most common cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the pharynx , behind the nose where the nasal passages and auditory tubes join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract. NPC differs significantly from other cancers of the head and neck...
characterized by prominent infiltration of lymphocyte
Lymphocyte
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system.Under the microscope, lymphocytes can be divided into large lymphocytes and small lymphocytes. Large granular lymphocytes include natural killer cells...
s in the area involved by tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
. Lymphoepithelioma is also known as "class III nasopharyngeal carcinoma" in the WHO
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
classification system. Most cases are associated with Epstein-Barr virus
Epstein-Barr virus
The Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
infection.
Lymphoepithelioma may also be referred to as Schmincke-Regaud tumor, after the German pathologist Alexander Schminke and French radiologist Claude Regaud.
Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma
Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma
Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, abbreviated LELC, is a malignant epithelial derived tumour, i.e. a type of carcinoma, and similar to lymphoepithelioma ....
s are carcinoma
Carcinoma
Carcinoma is the medical term for the most common type of cancer occurring in humans. Put simply, a carcinoma is a cancer that begins in a tissue that lines the inner or outer surfaces of the body, and that generally arises from cells originating in the endodermal or ectodermal germ layer during...
s that arise outside of the nasopharynx, but resemble a lymphoepithelioma histologically. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas may be found in almost any epithelial organ, including the lung
Lung
The lung is the essential respiration organ in many air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of the heart...
, thymus
Thymus
The thymus is a specialized organ of the immune system. The thymus produces and "educates" T-lymphocytes , which are critical cells of the adaptive immune system....
, breast
Breast
The breast is the upper ventral region of the torso of a primate, in left and right sides, which in a female contains the mammary gland that secretes milk used to feed infants.Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues...
, colon
Colon (anatomy)
The colon is the last part of the digestive system in most vertebrates; it extracts water and salt from solid wastes before they are eliminated from the body, and is the site in which flora-aided fermentation of unabsorbed material occurs. Unlike the small intestine, the colon does not play a...
, endometrium
Endometrium
-Function:The endometrium is the innermost glandular layer and functions as a lining for the uterus, preventing adhesions between the opposed walls of the myometrium, thereby maintaining the patency of the uterine cavity. During the menstrual cycle or estrous cycle, the endometrium grows to a...
, prostate
Prostate
The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals....
, and skin
Skin
-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
.