A b s t r a c t The purpose of our study was to clarify the prognosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the lung, which is rare. We analyzed the clinicopathologic features of 32 cases of pulmonary LELC and compared the cases with 84 cases of pulmonary non-LELC with available long-term followup information. The results show that LELC of the lung as a distinct entity has a better prognosis than non-LELC. We found a significant difference in the survival rates between patients with

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... and patients with non-LELC in stage II and stages III and IV, respectively. Tumor recurrence and necrosis (5% or more of tumor) are associated with a poor prognosis. It seems that the histologic typing (Regaud type and Schmincke type) of pulmonary LELC is of no clinical value. . The histopathologic features of the surgical specimens were classified and staged according to the 1999 World Health Organization criteria 10 and the 1997 TNM staging system. 11 Follow-up information was obtained for 110 (94.8%) of the 116 cases. Follow-up times were calculated from the date of diagnostic thoracotomy that was done at least 5 years earlier. None of the 116 patients with primary pulmonary carcinoma had other history of organ carcinoma, especially nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The tissues were fixed in 10% neutral formalin and processed routinely. Clinical information was obtained by review of medical records. Surgical pathology reports were reviewed for gross pathologic findings. Statistical Analysis Cumulative survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, 12 and the generalized Wilcoxon test was used to detect differences in survival curves. The chi-square test and the Fisher exact test were used as appropriate.