Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the vulva, an underrecognized entity? Case report with a single inguinal micrometastasis detected by sentinel node technique

Diagn Pathol. 2011 Jan 10:6:4. doi: 10.1186/1746-1596-6-4.

Abstract

This report describes an unusual EBV-negative lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the vulva in a 73-year-old patient. The lesion was localised at the right minor labium and was resected by partial vulvectomy. A synchronous sentinel lymph node biopsy revealed a single micrometastasis in the right inguinal region, which prompted local radiotherapy. Follow-up nine months later showed only slight vulvar atrophy, without signs of local recurrence or distant metastases.Although lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas of the skin and the female genital tract are presumed to have a better prognosis than their counterparts in the upper aerodigestive tract, possibly due to earlier detection and therapy, this case documents their potential for early metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / radiotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / surgery