Overview
Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma (also called lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma or LELC) is a very rare type of cancer. It gets its name because the cancer cells look similar to a type of cancer found in the back of the nose and throat called nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but it occurs in other parts of the body instead. This cancer can appear in many different organs, including the lungs, stomach, salivary glands, thymus, urinary bladder, skin, liver, and other sites. The tumor is made up of cancer cells that are surrounded and mixed with large numbers of immune cells called lymphocytes, giving it a distinctive appearance under the microscope. Symptoms depend on where in the body the tumor develops. For example, if it occurs in the lung, a person might have a persistent cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath. If it develops in the stomach, symptoms might include abdominal pain, nausea, or weight loss. In some cases, the tumor is found incidentally during imaging done for another reason. This cancer has been strongly linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in many cases, though the association varies depending on the organ involved. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the tumor when possible, often combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Because the tumor contains many immune cells, it may respond better to treatment than some other cancers, and in certain locations the prognosis can be relatively favorable compared to other carcinoma types. However, outcomes vary widely depending on the site of origin, stage at diagnosis, and overall health of the patient.
Key symptoms:
Persistent cough (if in the lung)Chest pain or shortness of breathUnexplained weight lossAbdominal pain or discomfortNausea or vomitingBlood in urine (if in the bladder)Swelling or lump in the affected areaFatigue and general tirednessLoss of appetiteDifficulty swallowing (if in the throat or stomach area)Pain at the tumor siteNight sweatsSwollen lymph nodes near the tumor
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsNational Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE3
Sun Yat-sen University
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma.
3 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: The Chinese Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma Collaboration Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Safety and Efficacy of Pucotenlimab in pLECC
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Testing the Addition of an Immunotherapy Drug, Cemiplimab (REGN2810), Plus Surgery to the Usual Surgery Alone for Treating Advanced Skin Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Where exactly is my tumor located, and has it spread to other areas?,Was Epstein-Barr virus found in my tumor, and does that affect my treatment plan?,What treatment options are available for my specific situation, and what are the expected benefits and side effects?,Is surgery an option for me, and if so, what would recovery look like?,Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments like immunotherapy that I might be eligible for?,How often will I need follow-up scans and appointments after treatment?,Can you recommend a pathologist or cancer center with experience in this rare type of cancer?
Common questions about Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma
What is Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma?
Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma (also called lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma or LELC) is a very rare type of cancer. It gets its name because the cancer cells look similar to a type of cancer found in the back of the nose and throat called nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but it occurs in other parts of the body instead. This cancer can appear in many different organs, including the lungs, stomach, salivary glands, thymus, urinary bladder, skin, liver, and other sites. The tumor is made up of cancer cells that are surrounded and mixed with large numbers of immune cells called lymphocytes, giving it
How is Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma inherited?
Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.