Prognostic thresholds of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography mean and maximum standardized uptake values for survival and nodal involvement in lung neuroendocrine neoplasms

OBJECTIVES

The mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography are prognostic biomarkers for survival and nodal involvement in non-small-cell lung cancer but their prognostic value in lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) remains unexplored. In this study, we aimed to examine whether they are also prognostic biomarkers for survival and nodal involvement in lung NENs.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied patients with typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid or large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma who had been radically resected at our institution between 2008 and 2020. We measured SUVmean and SUVmax on all primary tumours and lymph nodes that were clinically and/or pathologically involved. We dichotomized the patients into groups of high or low SUVmean and SUVmax of the primary tumour using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves and compared their overall survival using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models. Lastly, we predicted the patients' pathological nodal status with SUVmean and SUVmax of the lymph nodes using binomial logistic models.

RESULTS

The study included 245 patients. Patients died earlier if their SUVmean of the primary tumour exceeded 3.9 [hazard ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-3.04, P = 0.002] or SUVmax exceeded 5.3 (hazard ratio 1.85, 95% CI 1.20-2.87, P = 0.006). Likewise, patients had a higher risk of pathological nodal involvement if their SUVmean of the lymph nodes exceeded 3.3 (odds ratio 10.00, 95% CI 2.59-51.01, P = 0.002) or SUVmax exceeded 4.2 (odds ratio 4.00, 95% CI 1.20-14.65, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

The fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography SUVmean and SUVmax are strong prognostic biomarkers for survival and nodal involvement in lung NENs and could be important guides for making treatment decisions.

A rare report of a metastatic lung large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in palatine tonsil

INTRODUCTION

Neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare form of cancer originating from neuroendocrine cells, with the lungs being the most common site of occurrence. These tumors have the potential to metastasize to the head and neck region.

CASE REPORT

A 57-year-old man, with a smoking history of 74 pack-years, presented with complaints of hoarseness, dry cough, dysphagia, and significant weight loss over a two-month period. During oral examination, a submucosal nodule in the left palatine tonsil was discovered. Histological analysis confirmed a poorly differentiated tumor consisting of large cells with nuclear pleomorphism and abundant cytoplasm. The tumor tested positive for CD56, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and EMA. Further imaging revealed a substantial endobronchial lesion in the upper segment of the left lower lobe. Biopsy results from this lesion were morphologically and immunohistochemically consistent with those from the oral lesion. A diagnosis of metastatic large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma originating from the lung and involving the oral mucosa was established.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the metastatic potential of pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma and its occurrence in atypical dissemination sites. Additionally, our findings underscore the importance of early detection of oral metastases to ensure accurate diagnosis and expedite appropriate treatment.

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC): a population-based study addressing recent molecular-genetic advances and emerging therapeutic approaches

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung is a rare, aggressive cancer most commonly found in the lungs but not exclusively, with a worse prognosis than non-small cell lung carcinomas. Currently, LCNEC patients are treated using small cell and non-small cell protocols. This study aims to use the SEER database to identify demographic, clinical, pathological, and therapeutic factors affecting the prognosis and survival of patients with LCNEC of the lung.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and management data of patients with lung LCNEC were extracted from the SEER database for the period 2000-2018.

RESULTS

In the USA, LCNEC has a higher incidence in elderly white men: M:F ratio = 1.2:1, Caucasian: 83.3%, mean age: 67 ± 10.2 years. The most common treatment modality was chemotherapy only: 29.2%, followed by surgery: 21.5% (but in this group the statuses of chemotherapy were unknown), and combination surgery/chemotherapy: 8.8%. The overall and cause-specific 5-year survival was 17.5% (95% CI 16.3-18.8) and 21.9% (95% CI 20.5-23.4), respectively. By treatment, the best 5-year survival was for surgery alone (48%), followed by multimodality therapy (chemo + surgery + radiation) at 35% (95% CI 27-43). Age > 60 years, male gender, size > 7 cm, and nodal and liver metastasis were independent risk factors associated with increased mortality.

CONCLUSION

Lung LCNEC is an aggressive neoplasm most common in older white males that presents at an advanced stage despite small primary tumors. Most patients die within 2 years. The best predictor of survival is surgery with chemotherapy. Given its dismal prognosis, new treatment guidelines are needed for this aggressive cancer.

Mixed high-grade serous and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma arising from rectal endometriosis 11 years after hysterectomy

The malignant gastrointestinal endometriosis transformation is represented by endometriosis-associated intestinal tumors. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma and clear cell adenocarcinoma are most common among the endometrial cancers of all organs. Only four cases of mixed serous carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma have been reported, and all these cases originated from the uterus. A 59-year-old woman with a month's history of bloody stools was admitted. She was stable until the hematochezia occurred but is 11 years post-hysterectomy. A circumferential type-3 advanced upper rectum tumor was seen on colonoscopy. Adenocarcinoma was revealed from the forceps biopsies of the type-3 tumor component. Computed tomography showed narrowed lumen with a thickened rectum wall, a continuing mass, and a component on the anorectal side. Swollen lymph nodes were observed around the rectum, but no distant metastatic lymph nodes or organs were found. To treat the lesion, rectal surgical resection with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. Histological examination revealed combined high-grade serous and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas. Tumor was contiguous to the endometrium in the sub-serosa. Endometriosis was determined to be the origin of both carcinomas. Therefore, endometriosis-associated intestinal tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis when rectal tumors with cystic structures are found post-hysterectomy.

Achieving a one-year-tumor-free survival in a female with primary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder and liver metastasis; a case report

Primary neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of bladder is rare. It has four subtypes, and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is the rarest. LCNEC affects mostly men over 60. Most common symptom is gross hematuria. It has no specific treatment. Metastasis is common and once occurred, average survival would be less than three months. Herein we present diagnostic and therapeutic management of a 65-year-old female with LCNEC of bladder and concurrent high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Despite developing early liver metastasis, she achieved a one-year tumor-free survival.

Silent advanced large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with synchronous adenocarcinoma of the colon: A case report

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) accounts for about 0.25% of colorectal cancer patients. Furthermore, synchronous LCNEC and adenocarcinoma coexistence in the colon is very rare. LCNEC are usually aggressive and have a poor prognosis. Usually, colorectal LCNEC patients complain of abdominal symptoms such as pain, diarrhea or hematochezia because it is often diagnosed as an advanced disease that accompanies metastatic lesions.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe a case of relatively asymptomatic synchronous LCNEC and colon adenocarcinoma. A 62-year-old male patient visited our hospital due to anemia detected by a local health check-up. He did not complain of melena, hematochezia or abdominal pain. Physical examination was unremarkable and his abdomen was soft, nontender and nondistended with no palpable mass. Laboratory tests revealed anemia with hemoglobin 5.1 g/dL. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerofungating lesion in the ascending colon and about a 1.5 cm-sized large sessile polyp in the sigmoid colon. Endoscopic biopsy of the ascending colon lesion revealed the ulcerofungating mass that was LCNEC and endoscopic mucosal resection at the sigmoid colon lesion showed a large polypoid lesion that was adenocarcinoma. Multiple liver, lung, bone and lymph nodes metastasis was found on chest/abdominal computed tomography and positron emission tomography. The patient was diagnosed with advanced colorectal LCNEC with liver, lung, bone and lymph node metastasis (stage IV) and synchronous colonic adenocarcinoma metastasis. In this case, no specific symptom except anemia was observed despite the multiple metastases. The patient refused systemic chemotherapy and was discharged after transfusion.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of silent LCNEC of the colon despite the advanced state and synchronous adenocarcinoma.

Mixed Neuroendocrine/Non-neuroendocrine Neoplasm (MiNEN) of the Ovary Arising from Endometriosis: Molecular Pathology Analysis in Support of a Pathogenetic Paradigm

Primary ovarian neuroendocrine neoplasms (Ov-NENs) are infrequent and mainly represented by well-differentiated forms (neuroendocrine tumors - NETs - or carcinoids). Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (Ov-NECs) are exceedingly rare and only few cases have been reported in the literature. A subset of Ov-NECs are admixed with non-neuroendocrine carcinomas, as it occurs in other female genital organs, as well (mostly endometrium and uterine cervix), and may be assimilated to mixed neuroendocrine/non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) described in digestive and extra-digestive sites. Here, we present a case of large cell Ov-NEC admixed with an endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary, arising in the context of ovarian endometriosis, associated with a uterine endometrial atypical hyperplasia (EAH). We performed targeted next-generation sequencing analysis, along with a comprehensive immunohistochemical study and FISH analysis for TP53 locus, separately on the four morphologically distinct lesions (Ov-NEC, endometrioid carcinoma, endometriosis, and EAH). The results of our study identified molecular alterations of cancer-related genes (PIK3CA, CTNNB1, TP53, RB1, ARID1A, and p16), which were present with an increasing gradient from preneoplastic lesions to malignant proliferations, both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components. In conclusion, our findings underscored that the two neoplastic components of this Ov-MiNEN share a substantially identical molecular profile and they progress from a preexisting ovarian endometriotic lesion, in a patient with a coexisting preneoplastic proliferation of the endometrium, genotypically and phenotypically related to the ovarian neoplasm. Moreover, this study supports the inclusion of MiNEN in the spectrum ovarian and, possibly, of all gynecological NENs, among which they are currently not classified.

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the gallbladder: case report and literature review

Background

Mixed neuroendocrine–non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) of the gallbladder are rare malignancies. Here we presented two cases and reviewed the related literature.

Case presentation

Our two patients were postoperatively diagnosed with gallbladder MiNENs, which pathologically consisted of a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and papillary adenocarcinoma. After cholecystectomy, one patient had a survival time of 30 months, while the other remained alive through 12 months of follow-up. In the literature, a total of 72 cases of gallbladder MiNENs were identified, and with our two patients included, we calculated a male-to-female ratio of 0.22 and a mean age of 64.5 years for the 74 reported cases. About one-half of these patients were found to have gallstones and presented with abdominal pain or discomfort in a relatively early stage. The preoperative diagnosis of these 74 cases mainly relied on abdominal ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography/CT. However, the final diagnosis was established based upon the pathological evidence and expression of synaptophysin (Syn) and/or chromogranin A identified by immunohistochemical staining or neurosecretory granules detected by electron microscopy. Fifty-eight patients (78.4%) underwent various operations including simple cholecystectomy (n = 14), en bloc cholecystectomy (n = 9), standard or non-standard radical cholecystectomy (n = 25), or extended radical cholecystectomy (n = 6). The mean size of the resected gallbladder masses was 50.8 ± 36.1 mm (n = 63) with regional lymph node metastasis in 37 patients (52.1%), liver invasion or staging greater than T3 in 33 patients (45.8%), and hepatic metastasis in 26 patients (35.1%). The postoperative median survival time was 36 ± 11.42 months (95% confidence interval, 13.62 to 58.38 months). The log-rank analysis did not find that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy contributed to a longer survival time relative to that among the patients who did not receive chemotherapy (numbers of patients, 15 versus 43; survival times, 36 months versus 30 months, p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our two cases and the cases in the literature suggest that MiNENs of the gallbladder predominantly occur in women; are associated with early lymph node metastasis, local hepatic invasion, and hepatic metastasis; and can be managed by various surgeries as well as chemotherapy combined with somatostatin analogs.

Different Characteristics and Survival between Surgically Resected Pure and Combined Pulmonary Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung. Little is known about the differences between the pure and combined LCNEC subtypes, and thus we conducted this study to provide more comprehensive insight into LCNEC.

METHODS

We reviewed 221 patients with pure LCNEC (P-LCNEC) and 120 patients with combined LCNEC (C-LCNEC) who underwent pulmonary surgery in our hospital to compare their clinical features, driven genes' status (EGFR/ALK/ROS1/KRAS/BRAF), and adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce selection bias.

RESULTS

The P-LCNEC group included a higher proportion of males and smokers than the C-LCNEC group. Furthermore, the C-LCNEC group had higher incidences of visceral pleural invasion (VPI), EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement compared with the P-LCNEC group. Expression of neuroendocrine markers (CD56, CGA, and SYN) and recurrence patterns were not significantly different between the two groups. The P-LCNEC group had better disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with the C-LCNEC group (median DFS: 67.0 vs. 28.1 months, p = 0.021; median OS: 72.0 vs. 45.0 months, p = 0.001), which was further confirmed by the PSM method (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adjuvant chemotherapy was also an independent factor for DFS and OS. Subgroup analysis found that regardless of whether it was for the entire LCNEC group or the P- and C-LCNEC subtypes, the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) regimens presented with superior survival compared with the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regimens.

CONCLUSION

P-LCNEC was associated with more favorable prognosis compared with C-LCNEC. SCLC-based adjuvant chemotherapy was more appropriate for LCNEC patients than NSCLC-based regimens, regardless of whether they were the pure or combined LCNEC subtypes. C-LCNEC patients may be the potential beneficiary of targeted therapy.

Clinic and genetic similarity assessments of atypical carcinoid, neuroendocrine neoplasm with atypical carcinoid morphology and elevated mitotic count and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Background

Pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms can be divided into typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small cell (lung) carcinoma. According to the World Health Organization, these four neoplasms have different characteristics and morphological traits, mitotic counts, and necrotic status. Importantly, “a grey-zone” neoplasm with an atypical carcinoid-like morphology, where the mitotic rate exceeds the criterion of 10 mitoses per 2 mm², have still not been well classified. In clinical practice, the most controversial area is the limit of 11 mitoses to distinguish between atypical carcinoids and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Methods

Basic and clinical information was obtained from patient medical records. A series of grey-zone patients (n = 8) were selected for exploring their clinicopathological features. In addition, patients with atypical carcinoids (n = 9) and classical large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (n = 14) were also included to compare their similarity to these neoplasms with respect to tumour morphology and immunohistochemical staining.

Results

We found that these grey-zone tumour sizes varied and affected mainly middle-aged and older men who smoked. Furthermore, similar gene mutations were found in the grey-zone neoplasms and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, for the mutated genes of these two are mainly involved in PI3K-Akt signal pathways and Pathways in cancer, including a biallelic alteration of TP53/RB1 and KEAP1.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that neuroendocrine neoplasm with atypical carcinoid morphology and elevated mitotic counts is more similar to large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma than atypical carcinoid. Furthermore, this study may help improve diagnosing these special cases in clinical practice to avoid misdiagnosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09391-w.

Pulmonary large cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine morphology shows genetic similarity to large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Background

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a high-grade malignant pulmonary neuroendocrine tumour. The distinction of pulmonary large cell carcinoma (LCC) and LCNEC is based on the presence of neuroendocrine morphology and the expression of at least one neuroendocrine marker in at least 10% of tumour cells in the latter. According to the current classification, LCC with neuroendocrine morphology and without neuroendocrine marker expression is classified as LCC. This subgroup we have named LCNEC-null and aimed to analyze its characteristics.

Methods

31 surgical samples resected in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between 2017 to 2021 were collected, including 7 traditional LCCs, 11 LCNEC-nulls and 13 LCNECs. Each case was conducted to immunohistochemistry and 425-panel-NGS.

Results

Compared to other LCCs, detailed analysis of LCNEC-nulls revealed biological features similar to those of LCNECs, especially for immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis: 1. diffusive, coarse granular and high expression of Pan-CK; 2. rare PD-L1 expression; 3. High rate of p53 expression and Rb deficiency 4. abundant genetic alterations are similar to LCNEC. All characteristics above deviated from traditional LCC, indicating they have the same origin as LCNEC. Furthermore, LCNEC could be genetically divided into two subtypes when we reclassified LCNEC-null as LCNEC, and the mutational type and prognosis differed significantly.

Conclusions

We consider that LCNEC-null should be reclassified as LCNEC based on analysis above. In addition, two genetic types of LCNEC with different prognosis also indicate two mechanism of tumour formation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13000-022-01204-9.

SOX11 is a sensitive and specific marker for pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine tumors

BACKGROUND

Synaptophysin (SYN), chromogranin A (CGA), CD56 and insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) are proposed neuroendocrine (NE) markers used for diagnosis of pulmonary NE tumors. These NE markers have been identified in subsets of non-NE tumors requiring differential diagnosis, thus we sought to explore new NE markers.

METHODS

We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of SOX11, a transcription factor involved in neurogenesis, in pulmonary NE tumors and large cell carcinomas (LCCs).

RESULTS

We found that SOX11 showed a sensitivity similar to INSM1 and CGA, and less than SYN and CD56 in small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs). While SOX11 is more specific than the other four markers for diagnosis of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (HG-NECs) because 1) None of LCCs (0/63), the most challenging non-NE tumor type for differential diagnosis due to overlapped morphology with LCNECs displayed SOX11 positivity. While expression of at least one of SYN, CGA, CD56 or INSM1 was identified in approximately 60% (18/30) of LCCs. 2) SOX11 was only expressed in 1 of 37 carcinoid tumors in contrast to diffuse expression of SYN, CGA, CD56 and INSM1. In HG-NECs, we noticed that SOX11 was a good complementary marker for SCLC diagnosis as it was positive in 7 of 18 SYN^-/CGA^-/CD56^- SCLCs and 3 of 8 SYN^-/CGA^-/CD56^-/INSM1^- SCLCs, and SOX11 positivity in 4 of 6 SYN^-/CGA^-/CD56^- cases previously diagnosed as LCCs with NE morphology provides additional evidence of NE differentiation for reclassification into LCNECs, which was further confirmed by electromicroscopical identification of neurosecretory granules. We also found SOX11 expression cannot predict the prognosis in patients with HG-NECs.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, SOX11 is a useful complementary transcriptional NE marker for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SCLC and LCNEC.

Prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in patients with lung neuroendocrine carcinoma receiving platinum agents plus etoposide

BACKGROUND

The clinical utility of prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients receiving platinum agents plus etoposide for neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is unknown.

METHODS

Chemotherapy-naïve patients with NEC who received platinum agents plus etoposide were retrospectively evaluated. The occurrence of severe neutropenia and febrile neutropenia (FN) and efficacy of chemotherapy were compared between patients who did (G-CSF group) and did not receive prophylactic G-CSF (non-G-CSF group).

RESULTS

Among 58 patients, 51 (87.9%) and 7 (12.1%) had small-cell lung cancer and large-cell NEC, respectively, and 24 (41.4%) and 34 (58.6%) received cisplatin and carboplatin, respectively. The G-CSF and non-G-CSF groups included 32 and 26 patients, respectively. The non-G-CSF group displayed significantly higher rates of grade 3-4 neutropenia {88.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 69.8% - 97.6%] vs. 56.2% [95% CI = 37.7% - 73.6%], P = 0.009} and FN [50.9% (95% CI = 30% - 70%) vs. 18.8% (95% CI = 7.2% - 36.4%), P = 0.023] than the G-CSF group. In multivariate analysis, non-G-CSF was an independent risk factor for grade 3-4 neutropenia and FN. The rate of treatment delay was significantly higher in the non-G-CSF group (69.2% vs. 31.2%, P = 0.001). The relative dose intensity was significantly higher in the G-CSF group (86.7% vs. 74.1%, P < 0.001). The overall response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with NEC receiving platinum agents plus etoposide, prophylactic G-CSF significantly reduced the risks of severe neutropenia and FN.

Anti-GABAB receptor encephalitis associated with combined small cell lung carcinoma

Autoimmune encephalitis with antibodies against the gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptor is a relatively rare disease. We report a case with characteristic symptoms of limbic encephalitis associated with combined small cell lung carcinoma. The brain magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral temporal lesions and the photoemission tomography revealed regional heterogenous metabolism across the brain. The double labeling of anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptor autoantibodies both in the tissues of neuroendocrine and small cell neoplasia was a unique feature of this patient.

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer with uncommon histology: a propensity-score-matched analysis

Background

Clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with uncommon histology (uNSCLC) is unknown.

Methods

Patients with NSCLC treated with ICI monotherapy between January 2014 and December 2018 in 10 Japanese hospitals were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into: (1) NSCLC with common histology (cNSCLC), defined as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma; and (2) uNSCLC, defined as incompatibility with morphological and immunohistochemical criteria for adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the two groups.

Results

Among a total of 175 patients included, 44 with uNSCLC (10 pleomorphic carcinomas, 9 large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, 2 large cell carcinomas, and 23 not otherwise specified) and 44 with matched cNSCLC (32 adenocarcinomas and 12 squamous cell carcinomas) were selected for analyses. Median progression-free survival (PFS) (4.4 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–7.7 months) and overall survival (OS) (11.4 months, 95% CI 7.4–27.4 months) in the uNSCLC patients were not significantly different from those in matched cNSCLC patients (5.4 months, 95% CI 3.1–7.6 months, p = 0.761; and 14.1 months, 95% CI 10.6–29.6 months, p = 0.381). In multivariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) of 0–1 and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression were predictive for PFS and OS in uNSCLC.

Conclusions

ICIs had similar clinical efficacy for treatment of uNSCLC and cNSCLC. Good ECOG-PS and PD-L1 expression were predictive for efficacy of ICIs in uNSCLC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01681-6.

Primary pure large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ovary: histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis with review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Primary ovarian large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (POLNEC) is an extremely rare and highly aggressive malignancy. Establishing a definite diagnosis requires histopathologic examination with immunohistochemical demonstration of neuroendocrine differentiation in the tumor cells. The histopathology may overlap with a variety of other ovarian malignancies; however, rendering an accurate diagnosis is essential, owing to the therapeutic and prognostic implications.

CASE

A 62-year-old, post-menopausal woman presented with complaints of abdominal fullness and dull-aching abdominal pain for the last three months. A pelvic ultrasound revealed the presence of a complex adnexal mass. Serum levels of tumor markers, CA125, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, were within normal limits. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a heterogeneous lobulated right adnexal mass measuring 6.7×5.8×5.6 cm, which was T2-hyperintense and T1-hypointense. A provisional diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma was made, and a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed.

RESULTS

Histopathology showed an organoid and nesting pattern with a focal perivascular arrangement of the tumor cells with large, moderately pleomorphic, round to oval nuclei, granular chromatin, conspicuous nucleoli, and a moderate amount of pale-eosinophilic cytoplasm. Brisk mitosis and lymphovascular space involvement were noted. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells showed positivity for chromogranin, synaptophysin, and neuron-specific enolase and were negative for PAX8, WT1, vimentin, and epithelial membrane antigen. p53 showed wild-type, and SMARCB1/INI-1 showed retained nuclear expression. Based on the histopathologic and immunohistochemical features, a final diagnosis of POLNEC was rendered. The patient received 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy and is disease-free, 28 months post-treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The present report highlights the characteristic histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of POLCNEC to distinguish it from other clinicopathologic mimics and present a comprehensive review of the published literature of all such cases.

Successful salvage of recurrent leptomeningeal disease in large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer with stereotactic radiotherapy

A 70-year old male with stage I large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung underwent resection of a metachronous 5 cm brain metastasis and received postoperative hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (hfSRT). Five sequential nodular leptomeningeal metastases up to 5.3 cm in diameter were diagnosed on MRI within 10 months and were treated with SRT. Currently the patient has no evidence of intracranial disease 24 months after last irradiation without chemotherapy or whole brain radiotherapy. This is the first report of sustained complete remission of multiple large leptomeningeal metastases achieved with hfSRT, highlighting this brain-sparing approach in selected patients with LCNEC lung cancer.

Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Larynx: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 27 Neuroendocrine Tumors and Neuroendocrine Carcinomas

Laryngeal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and heterogeneous, encompassing well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs; grade 1, 2, and 3), neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs, small cell and large cell types), and mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNEN). We aimed to study the clinicopathologic spectrum of these neoplasms. A retrospective review of all primary laryngeal NENs diagnosed from 2005 to 2017 was undertaken. Mitotic index was divided into < 2, ≥ 2-10, and > 10 mitoses/2 mm², with a Ki-67 labelling index of < 2%, ≥ 2-20%, and > 20% for the NET grade 1, 2 and 3 categories, respectively. A total of 27 patients were included. The median age at presentation was 60 years; the male-to-female ratio was 8:1. Supraglottis (n = 22) was the most frequently affected subsite. There were 9 NETs grade 2 (G2), and 18 NECs cases. There were no NET grade 1 or 3 cases in our cohort. Among the NETs G2, the morphology was epithelioid (2), plasmacytoid (3), clear (2), oncocytic (1), and rhabdoid (1). Unique 'glomeruloid structures' (n = 5), calcification (n = 3), lymphoid aggregates (n = 5), intranuclear inclusions (n = 2), hyaline globules (n = 3), and Leisegang rings (n = 2) were identified. NECs comprised 16 small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and 2 large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. On immunohistochemistry, tumor cells expressed AE1/AE3 (86%), synaptophysin (100%), chromogranin (100%), INSM1 (100%), calcitonin (33.3%). In the NEC group, p53 aberrant expression (87.5%), Retinoblastoma (Rb) loss (88.2%), and diffuse p16 immunoreactivity (66.7%) were additionally observed. Lymph-node metastasis was detected in 62.5% and 85.7%, while distant metastasis in 55.6% and 76.9%, respectively in NET G2 and NEC. Laryngeal NENs are aggressive neoplasms with a high rate of nodal and distant metastasis. Awareness of the wide pathologic spectrum of laryngeal NENs and appropriate use of IHC is needed to render an accurate diagnosis. Ki67 assessment is strongly recommended for laryngeal NEN prognostication.

N-staging in large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: diagnostic value of [18F]FDG PET/CT compared to the histopathology reference standard

Background

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung (LCNEC) is a rare entity occurring in less than 4% of all lung cancers. Due to its low differentiation and high glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression, LCNEC demonstrates an increased glucose turnover. Thus, PET/CT with 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-deoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]FDG) is suitable for LCNEC staging. Surgery with curative intent is the treatment of choice in early stage LCNEC. Prerequisite for this is correct lymph node staging. This study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT validated by histopathology following surgical resection or mediastinoscopy. N-staging interrater-reliability was assessed to test for robustness of the [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT findings.

Methods

Between 03/2014 and 12/2020, 46 patients with LCNEC were included in this single center retrospective analysis. All underwent [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT for pre-operative staging and subsequently either surgery (n = 38) or mediastinoscopy (n = 8). Regarding the lymph node involvement, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT using the final histopathological N-staging (pN0 to pN3) as reference.

Results

Per patient 14 ± 7 (range 4–32) lymph nodes were resected and histologically processed. 31/46 patients had no LCNEC spread into the lymph nodes. In 8/46 patients, the final stage was pN1, in 5/46 pN2 and in 2/46 pN3. [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT diagnosed lymph node metastasis of LCNEC with a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 87%, an accuracy of 89%, a PPV of 78% and a NPV of 96%. In the four false positive cases, the [¹⁸F]FDG uptake of the lymph nodes was 33 to 67% less in comparison with that of the respective LCNEC primary. Interrater-reliability was high with a strong level of agreement (κ = 0.82).

Conclusions

In LCNEC N-staging with [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT demonstrates both high sensitivity and specificity, an excellent NPV but a slightly reduced PPV. Accordingly, preoperative invasive mediastinal staging may be omitted in cases with cN0 disease by [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT. In [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT cN1-cN3 stages histological confirmation is warranted, particularly in case of only moderate [¹⁸F]FDG uptake as compared to the LCNEC primary.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the common bile duct associated with congenital bile duct dilatation: a case report

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma is frequently observed in patients with congenital bile duct dilatation (CBDD). Most cholangiocarcinomas are adenocarcinomas. Other types, especially neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), are rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third reported case of an NEC of the common bile duct associated with CBDD and the first to receive adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Case presentation

A 29-year-old woman presented with upper abdominal pain. Preoperative imaging indicated marked dilatation of the common bile duct and a tumor in the middle portion of the common bile duct. She was suspected of having distal cholangiocarcinoma associated with CBDD and underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathological and immunohistological findings led to a final diagnosis of large-cell NEC (pT3aN1M0 pStageIIB). The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was administered cisplatin and irinotecan every 4 weeks (four cycles) as adjuvant chemotherapy. She has remained recurrence-free for 16 months.

Conclusions

NEC might be a differential diagnosis in cases of cholangial tumor associated with congenital bile duct dilatation. This presentation is rare and valuable, and to establish better treatment for NEC, further reports are necessary.

Paraplegia due to medullary compression caused by a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder: A case report

Background

Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the urinary bladder are rare tumors, estimated at less than 1% of urinary bladder malignancies. They are mainly represented by small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, while large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is rarely reported.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 49-year-old man presenting paraplegia caused by a metastatic urinary bladder LCNEC, which was managed with palliative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) associated with MVAC chemotherapy, including methotrexate, vinblastine sulfate, doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), and cisplatin. At the last follow-up of one year after his admission, there was a symptomatic improvement in the pain intensity.

Conclusion

LCNEC of the bladder was first described in 1986, and, until now, less than 40 cases have been published in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of primary LCNEC of the urinary bladder presenting with paraplegia.

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Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the urinary bladder are estimated at less than 1% of urinary bladder malignancies.

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They are mainly represented by small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, while large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is rarely reported.

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We describe a LCNEC of the urinary bladder presenting with Paraplegia due to medullary compression caused by a metastasis.

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This is the first case of primary LCNEC of the urinary bladder presenting with paraplegia.

High proportion of tumor necrosis predicts poor survival in surgically resected high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung

OBJECTIVES

Tumor necrosis is a negative prognostic factor in various cancers. High-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (HGNEC) of the lung, such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), commonly have histopathological features of tumor necrosis. However, the prognostic value of tumor necrosis remains unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 81 patients with HGNEC (SCLC, n = 42; LCNEC, n = 39) who underwent complete resection were enrolled. The proportion of necrosis in the tumor tissues was quantified using digital image analysis. We analyzed the relationship between the proportion of necrosis, clinicopathological factors, and prognosis. Moreover, we examined the correlation between genomic alterations and proportion of necrosis.

RESULTS

The median proportion of necrosis was 10.6 % (range, 0-62.8 %). The proportion of necrosis was not significantly different between SCLC (median, 5.1 %; range, 0-62.8 %) and LCNEC (median: 14.2 %; range, 0-59.3 %) (p =  0.14). The cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) and lung cancer-specific cumulative incidence of death (LC-CID) were significantly higher in patients with 10 % or higher necrosis (necrosis ≥ 10 %) than in those with less than 10 % (necrosis < 10 %) (hazard ratio [HR], 2.94; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.30-6.64, and HR, 2.87; 95 % CI, 1.13-7.29, respectively). In the bivariate analysis, necrosis ≥ 10 % was independently associated with higher CIR and tended to be associated with higher LC-CID. The frequency of genomic alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, MYC family, MAPK/ERK pathway, and major RTK signaling pathways were not different between the necrosis ≥ 10 % and necrosis < 10 % groups for both SCLC and LCNEC.

CONCLUSION

High proportion of tumor necrosis (≥ 10 %) had a negative prognostic value in surgically resected HGNEC.

Pure large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma originating from the endometrium: A case report

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the endometrium is an uncommon and highly aggressive tumor that has not been comprehensively characterized. We report a case of pure endometrial LCNEC and review the current literature of similar cases to raise awareness of the histological features, treatment, and prognosis of this tumor.

CASE SUMMARY

We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who presented with irregular postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Ultrasonography showed an enlarged uterus and a 5.1 cm × 3.3 cm area of medium and low echogenicity in the uterine cavity. Biopsy by dilatation and curettage suggested poorly differentiated carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneously enhanced uterine tumor with diffuse infiltration of the posterior wall of the uterine myometrium and enlarged pelvic lymph nodes. The patient underwent a hysterectomy and bilateral adnexal resection. Gross observation revealed an ill-defined white solid mass of the posterior wall of the uterus infiltrating into the serosa with multiple solid nodules on the serous surface. Microscopically, the tumor cells showed neuroendocrine morphology (organoid nesting). Immunohistochemistry revealed the tumor cells were diffusely positive for the neuroendocrine markers CD56, chromogranin A, and synaptophysin. Thus, the tumor was diagnosed as stage IIIC endometrial LCNEC.

CONCLUSION

Pathologic findings and immunohistochemistry are essential in making a diagnosis of endometrial LCNEC.

Recent advances and conceptual changes in the classification of neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus

Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus (TNET) are exceedingly rare neoplasms. Their histomorphology is identical to neuroendocrine tumors elsewhere in the body (in particular the lungs) and bears no similarity with thymomas and thymic carcinomas. Recent molecular findings have profoundly changed our perception of these tumors and may impact future histological classification systems.

Procalcitonin expression in patients with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung

Objective

Procalcitonin (PCT) has received much attention as a serum marker for bacterial infection. Elevated serum PCT is occasionally seen in severe trauma, heatstroke, and neoplastic diseases, including lung cancer with neuroendocrine component.

Results

In the present study, we evaluated PCT expression in the specimen of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, comparing large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), carcinoid, and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Pathological specimens of 10 LCNEC, 4 carcinoid, and 7 SCLC cases were evaluated with immunochemical staining of PCT. Clinical characteristics and serum levels of PCT and C-reactive protein were also evaluated. We observed positive PCT expression in 5 (50%) LCNEC and 2 (50%) carcinoid specimens that were surgically resected. Whereas serum PCT levels were not elevated in patients with PCT-positive carcinoid, two out of three LCNEC patients with high PCT expression in the tumor had elevated serum PCT levels that reflected disease progression. In patients with SCLC, PCT was not detected in the tumor or serum. This is the first immunohistochemical study of the PCT expression in the lung tumor specimens. We concluded that, in patients with LCNEC, high serum PCT levels may be indicative of disease activity and serve as a biomarker.

SMARCA4 (BRG1) and SMARCB1 (INI1) expression in TTF-1 negative neuroendocrine carcinomas including merkel cell carcinoma

SMARCA4 and SMARCB1 loss of function has been implicated in many different tumors. The objective of this study was to investigate the loss of BRG1 and INI1 expression in TTF-1 negative neuroendocrine carcinomas to see if they are analogous to small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type. The potential role of these tumor suppressor genes in high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma largely remains unknown. Cases of previously diagnosed Small cell carcinoma (SmCC), Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) were selected. Immunohistochemical expression patterns for BRG1 and INI1 were interpreted as: intact, hybrid and complete loss of nuclear staining. SmCC and LCNEC cases were divided as TTF-1 positive and TTF-1 negative subsets. One case of TTF-1 negative SmCC (lung) showed loss of SMARCA4(BRG1) expression. Amongst TTF-1 negative LCNEC, one case (lung) showed complete loss of SMARCA4(BRG1) and partial loss of SMARCB1(INI1) and one case (lymph node) had hybrid expression of SMARCA4(BRG1) with intact SMARCB1(INI1) expression. All TTF-1 positive cases and all MCC cases showed intact expression of SMARCA4(BRG1) and SMARCB1(INI1). Our study highlights that SMARCA4(BRG1) is deficient in a subset of NEC. Inactivation of SMARCA4 in a subset of TTF-1 negative neuroendocrine carcinomas especially of pulmonary site can be further studied for their therapeutic response to targeted therapy e.g. EZH2 inhibitors. In addition, our study is the first to show that BRG1 and INI1 expression are intact in MCC and hence the biology of MCC might be completely exclusive of these two tumor suppressor genes.

Ki-67 Index of 55% Distinguishes Two Groups of Bronchopulmonary Pure and Composite Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas with Distinct Prognosis

BACKGROUND

Little information is available concerning prognostic factors for bronchopulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (BP-LCNECs) and even less is known about combined LCNECs (Co-LCNECs). We investigated whether an integrated morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular approach could be used for their prognostic evaluation.

METHODS

Morphological (including combined features), proliferative (mitotic count/Ki-67 index), immunohistochemical (napsin A, p40, TTF-1, CD44, OTP, SSTR2A, SSTR5, mASH1, p53, RB1, and MDM2), and genomic (TP53, RB1, ATM, JAK2, KRAS, and STK11) findings were analyzed in BP-LCNECs from 5 Italian centers, and correlated with overall survival (OS). The Ki-67 index was expressed as the percentage of positive cells in hot spots as indicated in the WHO 2019 Digestive System Tumors and, for Co-LCNECs, the Ki-67 index was evaluated only in the LCNEC component.

RESULTS

A total of 111 LCNECs were distinguished into 70 pure LCNECs, 35 Co-LCNECs (27 with adenocarcinoma [ADC] and 8 with squamous cell carcinoma [SqCC]), and 6 LCNECs with only napsin A immunoreactivity. The Ki-67 index cutoff at 55% evaluated in the neuroendocrine component was the most powerful predictor of OS (log-rank p = 0.0001) in all LCNECs; 34 cases had a Ki-67 index <55% (LCNEC-A) and 77 had a Ki-67 index ≥55% (LCNEC-B). Statistically significant differences in OS (log-rank p = 0.0001) were also observed between pure and Co-LCNECs. A significant difference in OS was found between pure LCNECs-A and Co-LCNECs-A (p < 0.05) but not between pure LCNECs-B and Co-LCNECs-B. Co-LCNEC-ADC and LCNEC napsin A+ cases had longer OS than pure LCNEC and Co-LCNEC-SqCC cases (log-rank p = 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, tumor location, pure versus combined features, and napsin A, but no single gene mutation, were significantly associated with OS after adjustment for Ki-67 index and study center (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The Ki-67 proliferation index and the morphological characterization of combined features in LCNECs seem to be important tools for predicting clinical outcome in BP-LCNECs.

A case of colorectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma accompanied by disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis

Background

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the colon are among the rarest types of colorectal cancers. Among these, large cell type neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is particularly rare. Colorectal NEC is an aggressive disease, and there are few reports of long-term survivors. Here, we report a case of LCNEC accompanied by disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis that was difficult to diagnose.

Case presentation

The case involves a 62-year-old female found to be positive for fecal occult blood by medical examination. An endoscopy revealed a tumor in the ascending colon, and the biopsy revealed poorly differentiated cancer. Abnormal FDG accumulation with peritoneal thickening was visible on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) and suspected to be peritoneal dissemination. Laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed for the tumor of the ascending colon with abdominal wall invasion. At that time, numerous intra-abdominal nodules were observed, indicating peritoneal dissemination. The pathological diagnosis of the primary lesion was LCNEC, and the patient requested to undergo total peritoneal resection. After one course of chemotherapy with irinotecan plus cisplatin, she underwent total peritoneal resection, uterine annex resection, left inguinal lymph node resection, and intra-abdominal hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with mitomycin C. Because a postoperative pathological examination revealed that the intra-abdominal nodules were leiomyomas, we diagnosed the patient with disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis. The left inguinal lymph node was diagnosed with a metastatic tumor. In summary, the final diagnosis was LCNEC in the ascending colon with inguinal lymph node metastasis. Postoperative chemotherapy has been administered to date. She is currently 18 months post-primary surgery and 15 months post-peritonectomy without apparent recurrence or metastatic findings.

Conclusion

We experienced a case of Stage IVa colorectal LCNEC accompanied by disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis. Although the prognosis is generally poor, multidisciplinary treatment for advanced colorectal LCNEC may result in a favorable outcome for some patients. If peritoneal dissemination is suspected during operation, sampling of the nodule to confirm the pathological diagnosis is advisable.

Successful Treatment of Combined Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Harboring an EGFR Mutation with EGFR-TKIs plus Bevacizumab: A Case Report

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is rare, and few cases have been treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We report the treatment of combined LCNEC with adenocarcinoma harboring an EGFR mutation with EGFR-TKIs and bevacizumab. Our patient was a 70-year-old asymptomatic woman who underwent surgical resection of the lung for combined LCNEC with adenocarcinoma harboring an activating EGFR mutation 11 months previously. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography revealed metastatic lesions in the brain and lung. The patient was diagnosed with recurrence of combined LCNEC with adenocarcinoma. The brain lesion was irradiated, followed by administration of afatinib. Eight months after irradiation, brain MRI revealed ringed enhancement and perilesional edema after radiotherapy without new metastatic lesions. We switched treatment to erlotinib and bevacizumab, resulting in maintenance of stable disease for 10 months. Overall, the disease was controlled for 18 months with EGFR-TKIs and bevacizumab. Combination treatment with EGFR-TKIs and bevacizumab could be a treatment option for LCNEC of the lung harboring EGFR mutations, especially with brain metastasis.

Gynecologic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A review

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC) are rare, aggressive high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms within the neuroendocrine cell lineage spectrum. This manuscript provides a detailed review of published literature on LCNEC of gynecological origin. We performed a PubMed search for material available on gynecologic LCNEC. We analyzed 104 unique cases of gynecologic LCNECs, of which 45 were cervical primary, 45 were ovarian, 13 were uterine, and 1 was vaginal. A total of 45 cases of cervical LCNEC were identified with a median age of 36 years. Median overall survival was 16 months. We identified 45 ovarian LCNEC cases in the published literature with a median age of 54 years. Median overall survival was 8 months. 13 LCNEC cases of uterine origin were identified; 12 out of 13 were of endometrial origin and the median age was 71 years. The majority of patients presented with Stage III/IV disease (stages I-IV were 31%, 8%, 38%, and 23%, respectively). Gynecologic LCNEC is an aggressive malignancy. Our current understanding of the disease biology is very limited. Efforts are required to better understand the genomic and molecular characterizations of gynecological LCNEC. These efforts will elucidate the underlying oncogenic pathways and driver mutations as potential targets.

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) with confirmed liver metastases negative on 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) encompass the low-, intermediate-, and high-grade entities. Differentiated NENs overexpress somatostatin receptors, which are targeted by ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-conjugated peptides in molecular imaging with positron emission tomography. Less differentiated NENs may have lost their expression of somatostatin receptors and thus show lower uptake of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-peptides; however, these tumors express GLUT-1 and can be imaged with (18)F-fluordeoxyglucose (FDG).

We report the case of a 72-year-old patient with a poorly differentiated, high grade lung NEN, which was ¹⁸F-FDG-positive at initial diagnosis. After treatment and remission, the patient had histologically confirmed relapse in the liver. Interestingly, these hepatic metastases did not demonstrated radiopharmaceutical uptake at neither ¹⁸F-FDG nor ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon with brain metastasis: A case report

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Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon is rare and aggressive, and its prognosis is very poor.

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Effective treatment of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon has not been established.

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If local Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is completely resected, the 5-year survival rate has been reported to be 61%.

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Most patients are metastatic and not candidates for curative resection.

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The efficacy of systemic chemotherapy is highest in patients with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors with a combination of cisplatin and etoposide.

Background

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon is rare, and its prognosis is very poor especially when diagnosed at a metastatic stage. Early diagnosis can allow early curative surgery that can increase the survival for more than 5 years.

Case report

We report a 62-year-old man who presented for neurologic signs and symptoms followed by constipation. He was diagnosed with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon with brain metastasis. Patient was treated with right hemi colectomy due to obstructive gastro-intestinal symptoms, followed by chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide).

Discussion

Because of its rarity, effective treatment of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon has not been established. If local large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is completely resected, the prognosis can be largely influenced, and patients can benefit from a 5-year survival rate of 61% compared to 0% in patients without curative surgery. However, most patients are metastatic and not candidates for curative resection. The efficacy of systemic chemotherapy is highest in patients with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors with a combination of cisplatin and etoposide.

Conclusion

Patient with metastatic large cell neuroendocrine tumor have very poor prognosis with a 1 year survival rate of 10% without curative surgery. Increasing awareness of these types of cancer and their prognosis, may allow better comprehension of the importance of screening to allow early diagnosis and better outcomes. In case of late presentation, palliative surgery is always a must in patients with obstruction, bleeding or perforation.

Factors associated with treatment receipt and overall survival for patients with locally advanced large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: A National Cancer Database analysis

PURPOSE

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare pulmonary malignancy with clinicopathologic features of both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Given the paucity of available data regarding LCNEC management, we queried the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to describe trends in management, identify predictors of treatment receipt, and compare outcomes in patients receiving chemotherapy (ChT) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

METHODS

We identified patients with locally advanced (Stage III) LCNEC of the lung treated with definitive ChT or CRT between the years of 2004-2015. Odds ratios were calculated to determine predictors of CRT receipt. Multivariable cox regression was used to determine predictors of overall survival.

RESULTS

Using the above criteria, 5797 patients were identified, 54 % of whom received CRT (n = 3153) while 46 % (n = 2644) received ChT alone. Most patients had T4 (35 %) and N2 (59 %) disease. Median overall survival was 11.9 months (11.3-12.6) in patients receiving ChT compared to 16.1 months (15.4-16.9) in patients receiving CRT (p < 0.0001). Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 50 %, 20 %, and 13 % versus 60 %, 27 %, and 18 %, in patients receiving ChT and CRT, respectively. Older patients and those with higher comorbidity scores were less likely to receive CRT; whereas patients with higher education level, treatment receipt at an academic/research program facility, N2 disease, and later treatment year were more likely to receive CRT. On multivariable analysis, older age, greater comorbidity score, presence of N2 disease, and presence of T4 disease were all associated with decreased OS. CRT receipt was an independent predictor of increased overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive CRT was an independent predictor of increased overall survival in patients with locally advanced LCNEC of the lung. Findings from our study may help guide potential areas of future investigation to help define an ideal treatment approach for LCNEC.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the unusual location of the descending colon

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are most often found in the small intestine, rectum, appendix, and stomach. The colon, excluding the appendix and the cecum, is a rare location for these neoplasms and often gives rise to highly proliferative, poorly differentiated tumors with aggressive features and dismal prognosis. A 32-year-old male presents with a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma arising from an unusual location, the descending colon. The patient's clinical and imaging characteristics resembles those seen in the much more common neoplasm, colonic adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography and In-111 octreotide scan are limited in diagnosing large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Pathologic correlation of a surgical specimen is required to make the correct diagnosis.

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with adrenal oligorecurrence successfully treated by adrenalectomy

A 63‐year‐old man suspected of having lung cancer underwent right upper lobectomy and was diagnosed with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Eleven months after surgery, he developed an oligorecurrence in the adrenal gland and underwent left adrenalectomy. The specimen revealed LCNEC metastasis. Forty‐one months after surgery, enlargement of a lesion near the surgical site was seen. Biopsy showed LCNEC metastasis and he is currently undergoing radiotherapy for the recurrent lesion. We report a case of LCNEC with adrenal gland oligorecurrence treated by adrenalectomy, which led to long‐term survival.

SC-002 in patients with relapsed or refractory small cell lung cancer and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: Phase 1 study

OBJECTIVES

This phase 1 study investigated safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of SC-002, a delta-like ligand 3-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in advanced small cell lung cancer and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible patients received SC-002 at 1 of 7 dose levels during the dose-escalation portion of the study.

RESULTS

Thirty-five enrolled patients received ≥1 dose of SC-002. Twenty-three (66%) patients experienced serious adverse events (AEs), 37% considered related to SC-002. Grade 3/4 AEs occurred in 21 (60%) and 2 (6%) patients; the most common were effusion and hypoalbuminemia. One grade 5 AE occurred in 1 patient. Five (14%) patients achieved a partial response and no patients achieved a complete response.

CONCLUSION

SC-002 treatment was associated with systemic toxicity and limited efficacy.

Urinary Tract Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: Diagnostic, Prognostic and Therapeutic Issues

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the urinary tract is a high-grade neuroendocrine tumor with distinct pathological features, usually portending an aggressive clinical behavior in comparison to conventional urothelial carcinoma. Due to its low prevalence, little is known about its clinical management and there is no current standard of care. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge about LCNEC of the bladder, ureter and kidney, with relevance to diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic issues, through a systematic analysis of clinical, pathological and outcome data retrieved from the literature.

Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the urinary bladder: a case report

Background

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the urinary bladder is an uncommon malignant bladder tumor, and the overall prognosis is poor. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) provides a new effective modality for tumor detection and diagnosis.

Case presentation

A 30-year-old man complained of repeated painless gross haematuria for half a month. Conventional ultrasound demonstrated a hypoechoic solitary lesion with hyperechoic margins measuring 3.4 × 3.1 cm in the anterior wall of the bladder. Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) showed a strong flow signal in the mass. CEUS revealed that the lesion was characterized by hyper-enhancement in the early phase and hypo-enhancement in the late phase. The entire bladder wall was disrupted by homogeneous hyper-enhanced tumor tissue on CEUS. Time-intensity curves (TICs) showed a rapid wash-in with a high maximum signal intensity (SI) and quick wash-out. Finally, partial cystectomy was performed and the pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of LCNEC with invasion into the whole layer of the bladder wall.

Conclusion

This case suggested that CEUS was a valuable imaging method to detect and diagnose LCNEC in the bladder, and that CEUS can provide information related to the depth of wall invasion and the microvasculature.

Expression of novel neuroendocrine marker insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) in genitourinary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas: An immunohistochemical study with specificity analysis and comparison to chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56

Confirmation of genitourinary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (GU-HGNECs) often requires immunohistochemical staining. Here we evaluated a novel neuroendocrine marker, insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1), in GU-HGNECs with comparison to chromogranin, synaptophysin and CD56. Immunohistochemical expression of INSM1, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 was evaluated in 39 GU-HGNECs using full tissue sections [4 in kidney, 28 in urinary bladder, and 7 in prostate; 31 small cell carcinomas (SmCCs), 6 large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), 2 mixed SmCC-LCNECs]. In 33 SmCCs/components, INSM1 showed similar sensitivity (93.9 %) to chromogranin (87.8 %), synaptophysin (93.9 %) and CD56 (87.8 %), and stained a similar percentage of tumor cells (52 %) to chromogranin (49 %) and CD56 (52 %), but lower than synaptophysin (87 %) (p < 0.0001). In 8 LCNECs/components, INSM1 is similar to chromogranin, synaptophysin or CD56 in sensitivity (62.5 %, 62.5 %, 75 %, 62.5 %, respectively) and the mean percentage of positively stained tumor cells (21 %, 44 %, 48 %, 37 %, respectively). INSM1 is more sensitive for SmCCs than LCNECs (93.9 % vs. 62.5 %, p = 0.015). INSM1 showed 97.4 % specificity upon analyzing 273 genitourinary non-neuroendocrine tumors on tissue microarrays. Our study indicates that INSM1 is a sensitive marker for genitourinary HGNECs with high specificity. For genitourinary SmCCs, INSM1 shows similar sensitivity to chromogranin, synaptophysin and CD56 but stains a lower percentage of tumor cells than synaptophysin. For genitourinary LCNECs, INSM1 showed similar sensitivity to chromogranin, synaptophysin and CD56. INSM1 is more sensitive for genitourinary SmCCs than LCNECs. Our result and literature review indicate that whether INSM1 is more sensitive than conventional neuroendocrine markers for HGNECs depends on the tumor primary sites.

Efficacy of immune check-point inhibitors (ICPi) in large cell neuroendocrine tumors of lung (LCNEC)

OBJECTIVES

Little is known regarding the ICPi efficacy in LCNEC. We explored the efficacy and safety of ICPi in LCNEC and assessed its impact on OS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven consecutive patients with advanced LCNEC were selected from the Davidoff Cancer Center database. These were divided into groups A1 (patients treated with ICPi, n-23) and A2 (patients not treated with ICPi, n-14). Additionally, group A1* was introduced (patients treated with ICPi as a monotherapy, n-21). Another cohort of advanced non-LCNEC lung cancer patients treated with nivolumab at five Israeli cancer centers was chosen as a comparator (group B, n-270). ORR, PFS with ICPi in group A1* were assessed (RECIST 1.1), OS with ICPi was compared between groups A1* and B. OS since advanced disease diagnosis (OSDx) was compared between groups A1 and A2.

RESULTS

In group A1*, ORR and median PFS with ICPi were 33 %, and 4.2 months (95 % CI, 2.4-8.1), respectively. With median follow-up since start of ICPi of 6.2 months [IQR 2.2-12.1] and 4.9 months [IQR 2.3-8.9] in groups A1* and B, respectively, 52 % and 64 % of patients died in groups A1* and B, respectively. Median OS with ICPi comprised 11.8 months (95 % CI, 3.7-NR) and 6.9 months (95 % CI, 5.5-8.1) in groups A1* and B, respectively (p-0.23). Median OSDx was 14.5 months (95 % CI, 10.1-38.9) and 10.3 months (95 % CI, 2.6-NR), in groups A1 and A2, respectively (p-0.54).

CONCLUSION

In advanced LCNEC, ICPi outcomes are comparable to the outcomes observed in advanced NSCLC. Future research is needed to clarify the impact of ICPi on OS, and to correlate its benefit with tumor mutational landscape.

Bronchial intraepithelial recurrence of a pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

We encountered a case of a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with bronchial intraepithelial spread, a unique form of recurrence.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 63-year-old man underwent middle lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection for lung cancer. The pathological diagnosis was a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and the pathological stage of the tumor was T2aN0M0, stage IB. At 30 months after surgery, the patient complained of continuous cough, and computed tomography revealed a thickened right upper bronchus. Transbronchial biopsy revealed a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with bronchial intraepithelial recurrence. The patient died of disease 24 months after recurrence was diagnosed.

DISCUSSION

In cases of centrally located small cell lung carcinoma, it is well known that tumor cells progress along the sub-bronchial mucosa. In contrast, the mechanism of tumor progression of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is not fully elucidated because of the rarity of such cases. Endobronchial metastases usually show the presence of polypoid lesions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of endobronchial metastasis from a pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma showing bronchial intraepithelial recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should be aware of this unique form of recurrence in patients with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lungs.

Lung Cancer Pathology: Current Concepts

Lung cancer can be diagnosed based on histologic biopsy or cytologic specimens. The 2015 World Health Organization Classification of Lung Tumors addressed the diagnosis of lung cancer in resection specimens and in small biopsies and cytology specimens. For these small specimens, diagnostic terms and criteria are recommended. Targetable mutations such as EGFR and ALK rearrangements emphasize the importance of managing these small specimens for molecular testing.

Disparity in clinical outcomes between pure and combined pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A multi-center retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

The 2015 World Health Organization classification defines pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) as a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. However, the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of pure LCNEC and combined LCNEC remain unclear. Hence, we performed a multi-center retrospective study to compare the clinical outcomes of pure versus combined LCNEC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 381 patients with pulmonary LCNEC admitted to 17 Chinese institutes between 2009 and 2016 were collected retrospectively. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed among patients receiving adjuvant (adjuvant group; n = 56) and first-line (first-line group; n = 146) chemotherapy, as well as among patients receiving small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-SCLC (NSCLC) chemotherapy regimens. The Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression were used to identify clinicopathological variables that might influence patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Expression levels of neuroendocrine markers (synaptophysin, chromogranin-A, CD56) were associated with patients' prognosis in the total study cohort. In the adjuvant group, median disease-free survival was non-significantly longer for SCLC-based regimens than for NSCLC-based regimens (P = 0.112). In the first-line group, median progression-free survival was significantly longer for SCLC-based regimens than for NSCLC-based regimens (11.5 vs. 7.2 months, P = 0.003). Among patients with combined LCNEC, adenocarcinoma was the most common combined component, accounting for 70.0 % of cases. Additionally, median overall survival was non-significantly shorter for combined LCNEC than for pure LCNEC (P = 0.083).

CONCLUSION

The SCLC regimen is a more effective choice, as either first-line or adjuvant chemotherapy, when compared to the NSCLC regimen for LCNEC treatment. Further studies are needed to clarify the survival differences between patients with pure-, and combined LCNEC.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver metastasis of lung large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A case report

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Lung large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is an aggressive and a rare type of lung cancer.

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The prognosis of LCNEC with distant metastasis is extremely poor.

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Surgical resection for liver metastasis of LCNEC may improve prognosis.

Introduction

Lung large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is an aggressive and a rare type of lung cancer, and the prognosis of LCNEC with distant metastasis is extremely poor, with a five-year survival rate of 0%. Here, we report a case of laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver metastasis of lung LCNEC.

Presentation of case

A 63-year-old man received a routine physical examination, and abnormal chest radiographic findings were observed; chest computed tomography (CT) in our hospital revealed that the patient had left pneumothorax and a lesion measuring 18 mm in the inferior lingular segment of the lung. The patient underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy, and the final pathological diagnosis was lung LCNEC. Four years after surgery, abdominal CT revealed a mass measuring 27 mm in the liver. The patient underwent laparoscopic partial hepatectomy, and postoperative pathological examination showed liver metastasis of LCNEC. There was no sign of recurrence 6 months after hepatectomy.

Discussion

LCNEC with distant metastasis has a poor response to systemic chemotherapy, and the median survival time of patients with distant metastasis is estimated to be approximately 6 months, with a five-year survival rate of 0%. Although the common site of metastasis from LCNEC is the liver, there are no previous reports of hepatectomy for liver metastasis of LCNEC.

Conclusion

We report a case of laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver metastasis of lung LCNEC. It is suggested that surgical resection for solitary distant metastasis of LCNEC may improve prognosis.

Role of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ovary with cancerous peritonitis: case report and review of the literature

Background

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a very rare ovarian neoplasm that has a poor clinical outcome even in the early stage, and there is as yet no established treatment. Diagnostic laparoscopy has been used to determine the possibility of primary optimal cytoreductive surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the role of diagnostic laparoscopy is still unclear in large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma due to its rarity.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old woman with abdominal distention was referred to our hospital. She was strongly suspected of having advanced ovarian cancer because of a huge pelvic mass, massive ascites, and their appearance on medical imaging. However, cytological examinations from ascitic fluid by abdominal paracentesis did not show any malignant cells. She underwent diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate the possibility of primary optimal cytoreductive surgery, and only tissue sampling was performed for pathological diagnosis because of the countless disseminated lesions of various sizes in the intraperitoneal organs. The patient had no postoperative complications, leading to the early start of postoperative chemotherapy.

Conclusions

To date, there have been no systematic reviews that focused on determining the treatment strategy using laparoscopy. Diagnostic laparoscopy can be helpful to determine the optimal treatment, including primary debulking surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or best supportive care, assisting in decision-making particularly for patients with advanced large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with carcinomatous peritonitis.