Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Palatine Tonsil

Abstract

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is an undifferentiated carcinoma with nonneoplastic lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, mostly located in the nasopharynx, while it is extremely rare in the oropharynx. We present a rare case of lymphoepithelial carcinoma arising from palatine tonsil. A 81-year old male patient complained of dysphagia, hypersalivation and bloody sputum. Clinical examination revealed hypertrophy of the right palatine tonsil and ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsy and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoepithelial carcinoma. Multi-slice computed tomography showed a 33x31x38 mm heterodense mass in the region of the right palatine tonsil, and 37x30 mm and 21x20 mm lymph nodes on the right side of the neck. The patient was reffered to an oncology council, which suggested radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. Although rare in clinical practice, lymphoepithelial carcinoma should be considered in cases of tonsil cancer.