A rare case of lymphoepithelial  carcinoma of the parotid gland

LING Xiu Ngui ¹, Maizaton Atmadini ABDULLAH ², CHIUN Kian Chai ¹, Shashi GOPALAN ¹ 

¹ Department of ORL-HNS, Sibu Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia and ² Pathology  Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia

ABSTRACT 

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) of salivary gland is uncommon and accounts for 0.4% of malignant salivary gland tumours. Diagnosis can be difficult. We report case describes a 43-year-old indigenous gentleman who presented with a year history of left parotid swelling. Fine needle aspiration was inconclusive and computed tomography of neck was consistent with a benign parotid lesion. The patient proceeded with surgery and histopathology revealed LEC. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given and no recurrence was detected during his two years follow up. Our case highlights that diagnosis of LEC can be difficult and surgical resection or tissue sampling other than fine needle aspiration may need to be considered to make a diagnosis.  

Keywords: Lymphoepithelial carcinoma, parotid gland, head and neck cancer

Correspondence author: LING Xiu Ngui Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sibu Hospital, KM 5 1/2, Jalan Ulu Oya, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, MALAYSIA.

Tel: +6016 9061979 E mail: nguilingxiu@hotmail.com

Brunei Int Med J. 2016; 12 (3): 118-121