Pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma with echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4‐anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4‐ALK) fusion gene

• Published in: Respirology case reports 2016-11, Vol.4 (6), p.e00200-n/a
• Main Authors: Ose, Naoko, Kawai, Teruka, Ishida, Daisuke, Kobori, Yuko, Takeuchi, Yukiyasu, Senba, Hidetoshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ALK; Antigens; Case Report; Case Reports; Chemotherapy; EML4‐ALK; Hybridization; Infections; lung; Lung cancer; Lymphatic system; lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma; Lymphoma; Medical prognosis; Mutation; Proteins; pulmonary; Throat cancer
• ISSN: 2051-3380; 2051-3380
• DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.200

A pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (PLELC) is similar to a lymphoepithelioma, a subtype of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and commonly associated with Epstein–Barr virus infection which is a rare tumour and classified in the group of “other and unclassified carcinoma” in the latest 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Some reports of lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (LELC) have noted an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, whereas none have noted a mutation of the echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4‐anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4‐ALK) fusion gene. This is the first reported case of PLELC with ALK rearrangement. A 76‐year‐old woman underwent a right lower lobectomy and complicated partial resection of the upper lobe with lymph node dissection under complete thoracoscopic approach. A histopathological diagnosis of PLELC was made and the stage was classified as T1aN1(#12l) M0, pl0, G2, Ly1, V1. The results of both ALK immunohistochemistry and EML4‐ALK fusion gene on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) examinations were positive; however, EGFR mutational analysis results showed wild‐type mutation. This is the first reported case of pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (PLELC) with echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4‐anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4‐ALK) rearrangement.