Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma
Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a medical term referring to a histological variant of malignant tumor arising from the uncontrolled mitosis of transformed cells originating in epithelial tissue that bear microscopic resemblance to lymphoepithelioma.
There is considerable variation in the classification of LELC—while it is perhaps most commonly considered a subtype of squamous cell carcinoma, it can also be classified as a form of large cell carcinoma, and can be considered as a separate, unique entity.
In most anatomical sites, many cases are associated with the Epstein-Barr virus.
In the breast, the macroscopic, microscopic, epidemiologic, and prognostic features of LELC are very similar to medullary carcinoma; EBV status is one differentiator.
