B-ENT, 2014, 10, 67-70 Primary undifferentiated of the

W. Fassnacht1, S. Schmitz1, B. Weynand2, E. Marbaix3, T. Duprez4, M. Hamoir1 1ENT Department, Head and Neck Program. Centre du , Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium;2Pathology Department. CHU UCL Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium; 3Pathology Department, 4Radiology Department, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

Key-words. Immunochemistry, lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, tracheal cancer, tracheal surgery

Abstract. Primary undifferentiated carcinoma of the trachea. Background: Primary undifferentiated or lymphoepithelial carcinoma mainly occurs in the nasopharynx. Tracheal localization is exceedingly rare. To the best of our knowledge, only four cases have been reported previously, all in Asian patients. Case report: A 61-year-old male European patient presented with hemoptysis and cough for several months. The workup revealed a primary tracheal tumor without regional or distant metastasis. The patient was treated with tracheal resection followed by end-to-end reconstruction. Pathologic analysis of the tumor, including immunohistochemistry, confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma. Testing for Epstein-Barr virus by hybridization in situ was massively positive. With a follow-up at 15 months, the patient is alive and free of disease. Conclusion: We report the first case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in the trachea in the European population. Treatment possibilities are discussed. They should be based on each patient’s clinical presentation and the results of their preoperative workup.

Introduction Case report

Tracheal are rare , with A 61-year-old Caucasian male, a non-smoker, (SCC) being the most presented with asthmatic dyspnea and hemoptysis common histopathologic type in smokers and for approximately 1 year. Fiberoptic and rigid (ACC) the most common endoscopy revealed a polypoid tumor in the left in nonsmokers.1 However, a wide range of other posterolateral wall of the trachea, 2.5 cm below malignant tumors has been reported that derive the vocal cords (Figure 1A). Magnetic resonance from surface epithelium, accessory salivary glands, imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor measuring 1.4 cm and mesenchyme.2 in diameter, which had invaded the left postero­ ­ Primary undifferentiated carcinoma is a tumor lateral side of the trachea without cartilage infiltra­ that mainly occurs in the nasopharynx, and to a tion or esophageal extension (Figure 1B). Biopsy lesser extent in the oropharynx and hypopharynx. revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma with lym­ It is characterized as undifferentiated squamous phocytic infiltration as in nasopharyngeal lympho­ cell carcinoma with a prominent non-neoplastic epithelioma (Figure 1C). The detection of Epstein- lymphocytic component, and is therefore also termed Barr virus (EBV) by in situ hybridization for lymphoepithelioma. There are several reports of EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) was intensely primary undifferentiated or lymphoepithelioma- positive (Figure 1D). Endoscopy of the nasopha­ like carcinoma in the laryngohypopharynx and in rynx was negative and positron emission tomo­ the lung.3,4 However, this tumor is exceedingly rare graphy – computed tomography (PET-CT) demon­ in the trachea. To the best of our knowledge, only strated flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the left four cases have been reported previously.5-8 trachea only.

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Figure 1 A: 61-year-old man with a primary tracheal tumor. (A) Fiberoptic and rigid endoscopy revealed a polypoid tumor in the left posterolateral wall of the trachea. B: MRI showing a tumor of 1.4 cm invading the left posterolateral side of the trachea, without cartilage infiltration or esophageal extension. C: Biopsy revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma with lymphocytic infiltration as in nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelioma. D: Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) was intensely positive. E: Resection of a round-shaped reddish tumor, which measured 1.5 cm in diameter at its longest axis and protruded into the tracheal lumen without cartilage invasion.

A segment of the trachea measuring 2.5 cm in resected lymph nodes were negative, postoperative length and including the tumor was resected after left radiotherapy was not proposed. thyroid lobectomy and dissection of the pretracheal The patient was extubated 2 days later and dis­ and left paratracheal lymph nodes, followed by charged from the hospital after 8 days. One month end-to-end anastomosis. A round-shaped reddish after surgery, he was able to resume his work tumor, which measured 1.5 cm in diameter at completely. With a follow-up time of 15 months, its greatest axis, was observed protruding into he is alive without any sign of recurrence. the tracheal lumen without cartilage invasion (Figure 1E). Additional frozen section analysis of Discussion 5-mm margins was negative. Pathologic analysis of the whole specimen confirmed the preoperative Primary undifferentiated carcinoma is a well-known diagnosis of undifferentiated carcinoma or lympho­ cancer of the nasopharynx in certain geographic epithelioma. Because resection was complete and areas, such as southern China.9 In addition to

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histochemistry for cytokeratin and p53 can help to identify the poorly differentiated squamous component. EBV is usually massively detected by in situ hybridization for EBER. Treatment options for primary undifferentiated carcinoma include radiation therapy with adjuvant chemotherapy and, depending on the localization, surgical removal. In primary pulmonary lympho­ epithelioma-like carcinoma, a multimodal thera­ peutic approach is generally applied.4,14 Treatment options include surgery alone for early stage disease and a multimodal approach that includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy for advanced disease. In a recent series of 21 patients,4 the authors reported complete response to surgery alone in both patients with stage I disease (follow-up 26 months and 54 months). In both patients with stage II disease, surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy led also to complete response (follow-up 121 months and 38 months). Figure 2 As tracheal localization of lymphoepithelioma- Follow-up at 15 months by fiberoptic examination (Olympus® ENF videolaryngoscope) showed the anastomosis with no like carcinoma is exceedingly rare, no therapeutic signs of tumor recurrence. guidelines exist. In general, tracheal cancer can be treated with open surgery, endoscopic resection, and radiotherapy. If resectability can be established before treatment, then surgery is generally pre­ ferred.15 It can allow long-term survival of environmental factors, EBV has been implicated tracheal malignancies and provides pathological in the pathogenesis leading to nasopharyngeal confirmation of tumor histology and complete carcinoma (NPC).10 The gold standard treatment tumor removal. for NPC is radiotherapy with adjuvant chemo­ In all four previously reported cases of primary therapy.11 undifferentiated carcinoma of the trachea, each Localization of primary undifferentiated carci­ patient’s tumor was treated surgically.5-8 Surgical noma in the lower respiratory system is very rare. treatment was complemented by radiation therapy To the best of our knowledge, only four cases of in three cases and radiochemotherapy in one case. tracheal localization have been reported,5-8 all in Adjuvant radiation therapy was justified by close the Asian population. Of these four cases, EBV resection margins;6 or regional metastasis.5 staining was positive in two cases, EBV in situ In our case, the preoperative workup was realized hybridization was negative in one case, and in following national guidelines.16 It comprised PET- one case no EBV investigation was performed. CT and MRI, which revealed no regional or distant In the lung, primary undifferentiated carcinoma metastasis and no transgression of the tracheal wall. represents less than 1% of pulmonary ;12 The localization of the tumor made it accessible and is strongly associated with EBV infection and for surgical resection with an adequate margin for Chinese ethnicity.3,13 Smoking appears not to be a disease control. After multidisciplinary discussion, major factor in pathogenesis.4 surgery was finally selected because of the ability to Histologically, a primary undifferentiated carci­ propose complete resection with minimal morbidity noma is characterized by neoplastic epithelial and to avoid late toxicity of radiotherapy. No cells surrounded by a lymphoid stroma. Diffe­ adjuvant radiotherapy was proposed, as resection rential diagnosis includes non-Hodgkin’s lym­ was complete with sufficient margins and regional phoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and SCC. Immuno­ lymph nodes were negative.

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