First Case Report of Bilateral Parotid Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The parotid is the largest salivary gland and is located anteriorly to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and laterally to the ramus of the mandible. Neoplasms in this gland are relatively rare, with 80% being benign and 20% malignant, primarily represented by mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In the head and neck region, lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) accounts for 0.4% of malignant salivary gland tumors.

CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old man with no previous comorbidities was admitted to a Head and Neck Surgery Specialty Service for a painless right cervical mass of uncertain growth. Extensive diagnostic investigation revealed involvement of the contralateral parotid, associated with systemic lymph node enlargement. Thus, adjuvant radiotherapy was decided by the treating team.

CONCLUSION: This case confirms the heterogeneous features and distinctive behavior that the disease can present, as seen with bilateral parotid LEC.