Clinicopathological features and prognosis of primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma

Background: Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare form of non-small cell lung carcinoma. The current study focused on its clinicopathological features and potential factors influencing the prognosis. Methods: The statistical analysis was based on the clinicopathological records and the prognosis of 43 LELC patients, analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, Log-rank test, and COX regression analysis. Results: The patients' average age was 57.35 +/- 9.22 years, 86.05% of them were non-smokers and 53.49% were women. The average tumor diameter was 3.24 +/- 1.57 cm. The 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of LELC patients were 90% and 74%, respectively; the disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 87% and 47%, respectively. The patients with large tumor, accompanied with lymph nodes metastasis or at the advanced stage had the worst OS, and the patients with lymph nodes metastasis or at the advanced stage had the worst DFS. Univariate analysis indicated that T and N grading and TNM stage influenced the OS, and N grading and TNM stage influenced the DFS; the independent factors affecting OS or DFS were not identified by multivariate analysis. Conclusions: LELC commonly occurred in senior non-smoking women. In summary, the prognosis of LELC was satisfactory.