Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A distinctive, undifferentiated carcinoma with inflammatory stroma

Two cytologically uniform, light-microscopically undifferentiated carcinomas of the uterine cervix are described. The tumors were morphologically identical to nasopharyngeal lymphoepitheliomas, including the presence of an intense inflammatory stromal reaction with prominent lymphocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells. One neoplasm occurred in a 29-year-old, was clinically Stage IB, and was successfully treated with radiation therapy, with 10-year disease-free follow-up. The second tumor developed in a 58-year-old, was clinically Stage IIIB, and resulted in the patient's death 17 months after diagnosis. When the malignant cells in these tumors were widely separated by inflammation, they could be easily overlooked or confused with lymphoproliferative lesions. Immunocytochemical stains were performed on one case. The tumor cells stained strongly for keratin and epithelial membrane antigen, but were negative for leukocyte common antigen, verifying their epithelial nature. Until the biologic behavior of this cytologically distinctive tumor is more clearly understood, it should be separated from conventional cervical cancers with prominent stromal inflammation.