Long-Term Survival in a Patient with Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx

Abstract

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) is a rare malignancy of the head and neck with identical morphological features to those of undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharynx (WHO type 3), that is usually treated by radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Herein, we report a rare case of LEC of the hypopharynx, along with some review of the literature. A 65-year-old man was referred to our department for a mass in the left arytenoid region. Based on the findings of clinical examination, we made the diagnosis of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (cT4aN2cM0), and performed total laryngopharyngectomy with cervical esophagectomy, bilateral modified neck dissection, and reconstructive surgery using a free jejunal flap. Histopathological study of the surgical specimen revealed the diagnosis of LEC. We did not recommend postoperative chemoradiotherapy, according to the treatment policy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Examination at the 5-year follow-up revealed no evidence of locoregional or distant metastases.