Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung with a better prognosis - A clinicopathologic study of 32 cases

The purpose of our study was to clarify, the prognosis of lymphoepithelioma -like carcinoma (LELC) of the lung, which is rare. We analyzed the clinicop athologic features of 32 cases of pulmonary LELC and compared the cases wit h 84 cases of pulmonary non-LELC with available long-term follow-up informa tion. The results show that LELC of the lung as a distinct entity has a bet ter prognosis than non-LELC. We found a significant difference in the survi val rates between patients with LELC and patients with non-LELC in stage II and stages III and IV respectively. Tumor recurrence and necrosis (5% or m ore of tumor) are associated with a poor prognosis. It seems that the histo logic typing (Regaud type and Schmincke type) of pulmonary LELC is of no cl inical value.