PURPOSE

Lymphoepithelioma-like hepatic carcinoma (LELC) is a rare malignant liver tumor and its preoperative diagnosis is challenging. The aim of this study was to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of LELC in a single large center.

METHODS

We conducted this retrospective analysis of 16 patients diagnosed with LELC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between 2010 and 2022. Thirty-two cases of cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and 48 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) served as controls.

RESULTS

Most of the 16 patients with LELC included in this study had no specific symptoms. Histologically, 9 patients had lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma (LEL-HCC), 5 had lymphoepithelioma-like cholangiocarcinoma (LEL-ICC) and 2 had LEL-HCC-ICC. LEL-HCC was usually accompanied by hepatitis B virus infection, while LEL-ICC was often accompanied by Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection. During the follow-up period, no complication and deaths were observed and only one patient experienced recurrence. These results were obviously better than those in patients with HCC and ICC.

CONCLUSION

LELC is a rare malignant hepatic tumor. There are no specific symptoms or imaging modalities for accurate preoperative diagnosis of LELC. The diagnosis can be confirmed by pathology; however, the prognosis of LELC after resection is promising.