Coexistence of Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland and Submandibular Gland Pleomorphic Adenoma

Abstract

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a variant of undifferentiated carcinoma with characteristic dense lymphoid stroma in which nasopharynx is site of predilection. Racial and geographic association and Epstein-Barr virus positivity in endemic areas are other characteristics of this rare neoplasm. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma accounts for only 0.4% of malignant salivary gland tumors. The authors present a patient with Epstein-Barr virus positive lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland in a nonendemic region. Besides this, synchronous pleomorphic adenoma in the contralateral submandibular gland caused a challenge in making initial therapeutic decision.