Unusual case of small cell gastric carcinoma: case report and literature review

Retroperitoneal mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm: A case report and review of literature

The existence of both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine histology in variable proportion in a lesion has been described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as mixed neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN). The pathogenesis of this tumour remains controversial but molecular studies point towards a common monoclonal origin. Tumours are classified as functioning and nonfunctioning based on substances secreted. The nonfunctioning tumours may be discovered due to its local effect. Presented is a 66-year-old male with an intra-abdominal mass, underwent laparotomy and excision biopsy with transient right lower limb lymphoedema. Histology confirmed retroperitoneal MiNEN with no evidence of tumour recurrence 12 months following surgery. MiNENs should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with intra-abdominal mass. Surgical resection is recommended as this may offer the best treatment option.

Massive Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Case Report

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a rare subtype of mixed tumors, and it is scarcely described in the literature. MANEC tumors are composed of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma components, each of which comprises at least 30% of the lesion. Diagnosing MANEC requires specific histological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Typically, MANEC tumors carry a poor prognosis due to their very aggressive nature.

We report the case of a 70-year-old female patient with no past medical history who presented with a three-week history of abdominal pain and one episode of hematemesis one week prior to presentation. Initial CT of the abdomen showed a large, 8 x 6 x 6-cm mass arising from the stomach and extending to the lesser sac as well as the central crus of the diaphragm with bilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Upper endoscopy revealed an excavated, ulcerated, and partially necrotic mass on the lesser curvature of the proximal gastric body. Tissue biopsy of the lesion showed infiltrating mixed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma. On IHC, the adenocarcinoma component stained positively for CDX2 and pancytokeratin, and the neuroendocrine component stained positively for synaptophysin and chromogranin. Further workup included CT of the chest, which demonstrated extensive bilateral pulmonary emboli and new liver lesions with moderate ascites not seen on the initial abdominal CT. The latter was repeated and showed remarkable enlargement of the gastric mass (up to 12 cm) with extensive retroperitoneal adenopathy and mesenteric implants. Given the rapid clinical deterioration and progression of tumor burden, comfort measures were offered and the patient passed away soon after. MANEC tumors are highly aggressive subtypes of "collision" tumors, which are not well described in the medical literature due to their rarity. The etiology is poorly understood with various theories proposing different pathophysiological mechanisms. Standard therapy is not well developed at present; however, a few reports have demonstrated successful outcomes with surgery or combined chemotherapy (cisplatin with irinotecan or etoposide) if diagnosed at an early stage.

A case of gastric small cell carcinoma with metastases to bone and liver

Gastric small cell carcinoma (GSCC) is a rare entity in the western hemisphere. GSCC's typically arise in the upper one-third of the stomach and have histologic features similar to those of small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). They have an aggressive natural history that is characterized by early and widespread metastases. Prognosis is dismal with an overall survival of less than 12 months. We present the case of a 79-year-old African-American woman who presented with two weeks of progressive dysphagia associated with nausea, vomiting and a foreign body sensation in the throat. Computed tomography (CT) imaging showed multiple hepatic and lymph node lesions but revealed no gastric thickening. Endoscopy revealed a large ulcer on the lesser curvature of the stomach. Biopsy proved the diagnosis of pure-type GSCC. Bone scan identified multiple focal bony lesions at the thoracolumbar vertebrae, ribcage, bilateral scapulae, pelvic bones and right proximal femur. Treatment was started with cisplatin and etoposide. To our knowledge, this is the one of the first reported cases of gastric small cell cancer with bone metastases in the western hemisphere. Our report shows the importance of doing a full metastatic workup in these patients to identify sites of metastases.

Long-term disease free survival of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma treated with multimodality therapy: A case report

Gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, a rare malignant type of stomach tumor, is composed of components of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor. This type of neoplasm usually has a poor prognosis since both components are malignant. A 65-year-old male presented with norexia, epigastric distention, abdominal and lumbar pain. Contrast computed tomography scan of the abdomen verified multiple lesions merged into a large mass. Histolopathological examination of the specimen from digestive endoscopy was verified to be gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient received a multimodality treatment of chemotherapy, surgical resection with radiotherapy and still remains alive with no evidence of metastasis or recurrence for over 5 years. The authors suggest that multimodality therapy may be beneficial and necessary to effictively treat mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma.

Collision tumor of choriocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the stomach: A case report

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We detailed a collision tumor of gastric choriocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma.

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We found a clear colliding point between choriocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma.

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Immunohistochemical staining results of HER2 were different for the two components.

Introduction

Both gastric choriocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma are extremely rare, both accounting for approximately 0.1% of all gastric cancers. Therefore, simultaneous occurrence of gastric choriocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma is even rarer.

Presentation of case

An 84-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of dysphagia. Laboratory data showed iron deficiency anemia. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed thickened wall of the stomach at the fundus and several enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a friable gastric tumor with necrosis in the gastric cardia extending to the abdominal esophagus. Small cell carcinoma was diagnosed based on pathological examination of biopsy specimens. The anemia, which was probably because of tumor bleeding, progressed despite repeated transfusion; therefore, a semi-urgent laparotomy was performed to control hemorrhage. Finally, total gastrectomy and lymph node resection were performed. Based on pathological findings, a diagnosis of collision tumor of choriocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the stomach was confirmed.

Discussion

When encountering large tumors with necrosis or hemorrhage in the stomach, the possibility of choriocarcinoma component should be considered. Moreover, when small cell carcinoma is morphologically suspected, even if slightly, additional immunohistochemical staining must be performed.

Conclusion

This report detailed an extremely rare case of collision tumor of choriocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the stomach.

Neuroendocrine Carcinomas of the Gastroenteropancreatic System: A Comprehensive Review

To date, empirical literature has generally been considered lacking in relation to neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), the highly malignant subgroup of neuroendocrine neoplasms. NECs are often found in the lungs or the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system and can be of small or large cell type. Concentrating on GEP-NECs, we can conclude that survival times are poor, with a median of only 4–16 months depending on disease stage and primary site. Further, this aggressive disease appears to be on the rise, with incidence numbers increasing while survival times are stagnant. Treatment strategies concerning surgery are often undecided and second-line chemotherapy is not yet established. After an analysis of over 2600 articles, we can conclude that there is indeed more empirical literature concerning GEP-NECs available than previously assumed. This unique review is based on 333 selected articles and contains detailed information concerning all aspects of GEP-NECs. Namely, the classification, histology, genetic abnormalities, epidemiology, origin, biochemistry, imaging, treatment and survival of GEP-NECs are described. Also, organ-specific summaries with more detail in relation to disease presentation, diagnosis, treatment and survival are presented. Finally, key points are discussed with directions for future research priorities.

CT and enhanced CT in diagnosis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinomas

OBJECTIVES

To enhance diagnosis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinomas using CT and contrast-enhanced CT images.

METHODS

A total of 44 patients with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinomas, as confirmed by clinical pathology and immunohistochemistry in the Sixth Affiliated People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China, were included in the study. CT and enhanced CT scanning were performed, and the resulting images were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven males and 17 females were enrolled. Gastrointestinal involvement included the following: 5 cases located in the middle or inferior segment of the esophagus; 5 in the gastric cardia, 15 in the body of stomach, 6 located in the gastric antrum; 5 located in the Vater papilla of the duodenum; and 8 located in the colon. Among the 44 cases 80%-90% of the lesions had homogeneous density. Totally 81.8% (36/44) cases demonstrated homogeneous enhancement in arterial phases, most of the cases (n = 33) moderately or obviously enhanced. Only 17.2% (8/44) cases appeared as heterogeneous enhancement. And 86.4% cases (n = 38) were further enhanced in the venous phase. The CT images also revealed some of the metastases. Some liver metastasis cases have obvious homogeneous enhancement.

CONCLUSIONS

CT and enhanced CT provide useful information regarding gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinomas' location, density, enhancement pattern, and some metastasis. These features are helpful to increase the diagnostic accuracy.

Synchronous occurrence of early neuroendocrine carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma in the stomach

This report describes a patient with early neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and tubular adenocarcinoma in the stomach. A 74-year-old Japanese male experienced epigastralgia. Endoscopic examination revealed two small lesions; one was an elevated lesion with ulceration at the posterior wall of the pre-pylorus and the other was a depressed lesion at the greater curvature of the antrum. Pathological diagnosis of the biopsies indicated poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma from the lesion on the pre-pylorus and well differentiated adenocarcinoma from the lesion on the antrum. He was referred to the surgical outpatient clinic with early double cancer of the stomach. A distal partial gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. A histopathological examination revealed NEC at the lesion on the pre-pylorus and well differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma at the lesion on the antrum. These two lesions were completely separate from each other. Therefore, this case is thought to demonstrate the synchronous occurrence of early NEC and tubular adenocarcinoma in the stomach.

Small cell carcinoma of gastro-oesophageal junction with remarkable response to chemo-radiotherapy

Small cell carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract is rare, and no effective strategy has yet been established. On the basis of regimens reportedly effective for small cell lung cancer, we performed chemotherapy with cisplatin plus etoposide in combination with radiotherapy to relieve obstruction, in a patient with small cell carcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction. Chemotherapy was switched to carboplatin plus etoposide due to renal toxicity. No distant metastases were detected and lesion spread was limited. A complete response, with no evidence of recurrence to date, was achieved. Curative resection was suggested but refused by the patient. He has been closely followed up in our outpatient clinic for more than a year and has shown no evidence of recurrence since the completion of treatment. Although cisplatin plus etoposide is a standard chemotherapy regimen for small cell carcinoma, carboplatin plus etoposide may be effective in cases in which cisplatin is contraindicated due to renal toxicity.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the stomach: an experience of two decades (1990-2011) in a Chinese cancer institute

BACKGROUND

Primary gastric small cell carcinoma (GSCC) is a rare and aggressive disease for which the standard treatment has not been established. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics and survival.

METHODS

All cases of GSCC treated at our institute from January 1990 to December 2011 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients from 11,603 cases (0.16%) of all gastric cancers treated during this period were identified. The median age was 61 years and the patients were predominantly men. Using the latest AJCC Staging Criteria, the majority of the patients (68.4%) were Stage III. All patients underwent surgery. The median overall survival time (MST) was 19.5 months (95% CI 17.5-21.6 months). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 77.3%, 44.2%, and 22.1%, respectively. The MST of 48.5 months for cases who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was superior to that of 19.0 months for cases who did not (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that GSCC patients can be treated effectively with combined modality of treatment, despite the aggressive nature of GSCC. Systemic therapy, based on chemotherapy with surgery, is recommended.