Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Skin
David Cassarino, MD, PhD
Key Facts
Terminology
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Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin (LELCS)
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Poorly differentiated carcinoma, most likely variant of SCC, with prominent inflammatory infiltrate
Etiology/Pathogenesis
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No relationship with EBV (unlike nasopharyngeal lymphoepitheliomas)
Clinical Issues
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Extremely rare variant of SCC; less than 50 cases reported to date
Microscopic Pathology
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Dense dermal infiltrate of predominantly lymphoid cells associated with scattered large epithelioid cells
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Epithelioid cells may form nests or clusters, although they may be difficult to discern due to heavy lymphoid infiltrate
LELCS is characterized by a prominent lymphohistiocytic infiltrate obscuring a background of large, undifferentiated epithelioid-appearing cells  . |
High-magnification examination of a LELCS shows areas of squamous differentiation  and prominent keratinization  . |
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
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Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin (LELCS)
Definitions
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Poorly differentiated carcinoma, most likely variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with prominent inflammatory infiltrate mimicking lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the nasopharynx
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
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