Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the stomach: a case report and review of the literature

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC), which is commonly reported in the nasopharynx and occasionally in other organs, remains a rare condition in gynecology. It is morphologically defined as a poorly differentiated carcinoma with prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. We present a case of an 82-year-old woman with a 10 cm LELC of the ovary shown by inguinal lymph nodes. There was no peritoneal carcinomatosis. Cytoreductive surgery was performed to remove a left ovarian neoplasm and multiple involved lymph nodes. Cytoreduction was complete. The tumor was a mixed poorly undifferentiated ovarian carcinoma consisting of 95% LELC and 5% moderately differentiated serous adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed a large infiltration of T lymphocytes and plasma cells. Epstein-Barr virus was not detected by immunolabeling and polymerase chain reaction. The patient was still alive at 24 months of follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the second case of ovarian LELC and the first description of the native tumor before chemotherapy. In conclusion, this rare tumor of the ovary is difficult to diagnose both preoperatively and perioperatively. However, clinicians and pathologists should be aware that ovarian tumors with massive involvement of lymph nodes and no peritoneal carcinomatosis are suggestive of such a diagnosis and that prognosis is relatively good.