Epstein-Bar Virus-Positive Lymphoepithelioma-Like Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Int J Surg Pathol. 2024 Dec 18:10668969241297260. doi: 10.1177/10668969241297260. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a primary liver malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an exceedingly rare variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that histologically resembles nasopharyngeal carcinoma, previously known as lymphoepithelioma. It was first reported by Hsu et al in 1996 and they were able to show the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in tumor cells. Even though several risk factors for the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma have been identified, the association between Epstein-Barr virus and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is relatively rare. This article aims at discussing a female patient's lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tumor and summarizing the existing literature on Epstein-Barr virus-positiveLymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, including the clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnostic challenges, treatment approaches, prognosis, and histopathologic description.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; hepatobiliary malignancy; intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; literature review; lymphoepithelioma-like.