Gastric lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma presenting as a sub-mucosal mass: a case report and literature review

Background: Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the stomach (LELC), also known as carcinoma with lymphoid stroma of the stomach, is a rare type of gastric cancer, accounting for approximately 1-4% of all gastric cancers. It is mainly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Here, we report a case of gastric lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma presenting as a submucosal mass that tested negative for EBV. Case description: a 70-yearold patient was diagnosed with a gastric mass through routine endoscopy. There was no abdominal pain, fever, hematemesis, chills, or other discomfort, and the patient had a history of hypertension. The complete blood count, blood chemistry, and tumor indices were normal, and the results for EBV infection were also negative. According to EUS, it was diagnosed as a gastric stromal tumor. The patient underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Pathological exams suggested that it was a low-differentiated carcinoma, and surgical dissection was performed. Conclusion: Cases of gastric LELC are rare, and clinicians need to improve their understanding of the disease to avoid misdiagnosis. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease need further investigation.