[The Clinical Analysis of 21 Patients with Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma after Operation.].

Background: Lung lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a rare subtype of large cell carcinomas of the lung. The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics, surgical methods, laboratory inspection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and prognosis of LELC.

Methods: From 2004 to 2008, clinical data were collected from 21 patients who were treated in Shanghai Chest Hospital. The correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was evaluated.

Results: Of the 21 patients, 15 patients had lobectomy; 4 patients had wedge resection; 1 patient had pneumonectomy and 1 patient had sleeve resection. 12 patients received chemotherapy and 3 patients received radiotherapy after operation. Until 2009-4-31, 4 patients died, and the median survival time (MST) was 49 months.

Conclusions: Lymphoepitheliomalike carcinoma of the lung is a very rare and unique subtype of large cell carcinomas of the lung, which has a better prognosis with surgical, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.