Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Vagina and Anal Canal: A Rare Variant of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2019 Mar;38(2):183-188. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0000000000000483.

Abstract

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is an uncommon variant of squamous cell carcinoma, which is histologically identical to lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the nasopharynx. LELCs have been reported at a variety of sites, including the stomach, salivary gland, thymus, cervix, endometrium, breast, skin, bladder, and lung. We report 2 LELCs of the vagina and 1 of the anal canal, the first report of LELC at the latter site. All 3 neoplasms were diffusely positive with p16 (block-type immunoreactivity) and the anal canal lesion contained high-risk human papillomavirus type 16; the 2 vaginal neoplasms underwent human papillomavirus testing but were unsuitable for analysis. All cases were Epstein-Barr virus negative. In reporting these cases, we highlight the potential for misdiagnosis and suggest an association with human papillomavirus infection similar to LELCs in the uterine cervix.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anal Canal / metabolism
  • Anal Canal / pathology
  • Anus Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Anus Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharynx / metabolism
  • Nasopharynx / pathology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Vagina / metabolism
  • Vagina / pathology
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor