Abstract
Background : Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland is rare, accounting for fewer than 1% of all parotid gland tumors. We report a case diagnosed by aspiration and imprint cytology. We also review its cytological, histological, and immunocytochemical features.
Case : A 50-year-old man reporting swelling of the left parotid area was found in radiological examination to have a solid mass with limited mobility. Ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration of the parotid gland was done. The man later underwent parotidectomy of the superficial left parotid gland.
Aspiration and imprint cytology showed squamous cell carcinoma-like clusters with nuclear overlapping against a lymphocytic background. Atypical cells had oval to spindle-shaped nuclei of varying size, with coarsely granular chromatin and small prominent nucleoli.
Histologically, the tumor consisted of irregularly arranged islets and solid nests. Surrounding tissue was infiltrated predominantly by tumor cells and lymphocytes.
Conclusion : Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland, a rare malignancy with a generally good prognosis, is considered to be a form of lymphoepithelial carcinoma, similar to squamous cell carcinoma, and shown by aspiration cytology to have clusters of numerous lymphocytes in the background.
