Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the parotid gland in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related malignancy. It is not a common condition and is usually found in the head and neck region. We describe the development of LELC involving the parotid gland in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had been receiving long-term azathioprine. A brief review is also made on the clinical presentation and histological features of LELC and the association of RA with EBV related diseases. The latter may be attributed to an increase in risk of malignancy associated with RA or as a result of the long-term immunosuppressive used.