Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Palatine Tonsil

Abstract

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is an undifferentiated carci-noma with nonneoplastic lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, mostly lo-cated in the nasopharynx, while it is extremely rare in the oro-pharynx. We present a rare case of lymphoepithelial carcinoma arising from palatine tonsil. A 81-year old male patient com-plained of dysphagia, hypersalivation and bloody sputum. Clini-cal examination revealed hypertrophy of the right palatine tonsil and ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsy and histo-pathological 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