‘Malignant lymphoepithelial lesions’ (Undifferentiated ductal carcinomas of the parotid gland)

Three cases of the so-cassed malignant lymphoepithelial lesion occurring in women are described. The authors, however, prefer to label the lesion 'undifferentiated carcinoma of the parotid'. From an accurate review of the world literature it appears that 23 cases of such lesion have been reported, 22 arising in the parotid and 1 in the submandibular gland. The malignant lymphoepithelial lesion has been mainly encountered in Eskimos and the three cases of the present report are the first to have been evidenced in Europe. The malignant lymphoepithelial lesion is discussed from the taxonomic, nosologic, pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic points of view. The lesion does not seem to be of an autoimmune nature, unlike the benign lymphoepithelial lesion which is generally regarded as an autoimmune disease.