Primary Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Lung: A Case Report

Primary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare form of lung cancer. It often originates in the nasopharynx, stomach, salivary gland and thymus. Most of the time, its localisation in this area is associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Transthoracic needle biopsy findings, which were performed for a 68-year-old male patient with the complaints of cough and frequently recurring oral aphthae, and mass appearance on his chest radiography, were found to be consistent with non-small cell lung cancer. Nasopharyngeal biopsy carried out for frequently recurring aphthous lesions revealed EBV. The patient was exposed to right upper lobectomy and mediastinal dissection. Postoperative pathological findings were interpreted as evidence for LELC. We have presented our case with a literature review because lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a rarely seen subtype of lung cancer.