Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma involving the lacrimal gland and infiltrating the eyelids.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC), which is a variant of carcinoma most commonly involving the nasopharynx and rarely occurring in a variety of sites outside its typical location. METHODS: We present the case of a 79-year-old Caucasian man with LELC of the lacrimal gland undergoing surgical resection of the mass. RESULTS: The patient had remained disease-free for 2 years, and then he developed homolateral metastases in latero-cervical and parotid lymph nodes, detected by computed tomography and confirmed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. He did not receive any surgical treatment, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy because of the advanced stage of the disease and poor health condition. CONCLUSIONS: This case report suggests that a diagnosis of lacrimal gland LELC makes combined early and radical therapy necessary.