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Rumbinaitė E, Dirsienė R, Vaitiekus D, Poškienė L, Žūkaitė G, Stankevičienė Š, Šakalytė G, Dobilienė O, Benetis R. Is this dyspnea because of coronary artery disease? A rare case report of primary neuroendocrine tumor in anterior mediastinum. Perfusion 2024; 39:854-858. [PMID: 36895067 PMCID: PMC11083731 DOI: 10.1177/02676591231160545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mediastinal neuroendocrine tumors are rare malignancies with aggressive behavior and a grim prognosis. These malignancies often go undetected until they are diagnosed at advanced stages. CASE REPORT We present the case of 74 -years old man who was hospitalized because of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and in case of three vessels coronary artery disease, coronary bypass surgery was planned. During preoperative investigation, computer tomography revealed a huge tumor (20 cm × 11 cm × 21 cm in size) in the anterior mediastinum. Successful simultaneous operation coronary bypass surgery and removal of the mediastinal tumor was performed. DISCUSSION Surgery is the treatment of choice for neuroendocrine tumors but the relapse rate ranges between 5% and 30% and is higher (65%) in atypical neuroendocrine tumors and patients with mediastinal node involvement. Despite the poor prognosis of neuroendocrine tumors, the spread to the lymph nodes, the patient continues chemotherapy treatment 49 months after the operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eglė Rumbinaitė
- Associate Professor, Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rūta Dirsienė
- Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Domas Vaitiekus
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Lina Poškienė
- Department of Pathology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Gabrielė Žūkaitė
- Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Academy of Medicine, Druskininkai, Lithuania
| | - Šarūnė Stankevičienė
- Department of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Gintarė Šakalytė
- Cardiologist, Head of the Heart Failure and Defects Department, Department of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Olivija Dobilienė
- Cardiologist, Head of the Ischemic Heart Disease Department, Head of the Myocardial Infarction Sector of the Ischemic Heart Disease Department, Department of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rimantas Benetis
- Cardiac Surgeon, Head of the Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Clinic, Department of Cardiac, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Nga VB, Thom MT, Hai TT, Huong NTT, Thang ND, Minh TN, Duc NM. Cushing's syndrome due to atypical carcinoid of the mediastinum. Radiol Case Rep 2023; 18:963-967. [PMID: 36636480 PMCID: PMC9829552 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectopic Cushing's syndrome, caused by a neuroendocrine tumor (NET), is a rare finding. NETs of the mediastinum are extremely rare. NETs arising from the anterior mediastinum are generally aggressive. They are widely characterized at clinical presentations, and may be asymptomatic or present with atypical symptoms. Prognosis is often poor due to their local recurrence and distant metastasis despite a multimodal approach. A 33-year-old male patient was admitted to our department with a femoral soft tissue abscess, diabetes, and hypokalemia. He had no typical features of Cushing's syndrome. However, with a few simple tests, that is, a basal hormone profile, and low-dose and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests, we diagnosed this complicated condition of ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion. Thoracic computed tomography revealed an anterior mediastinal mass of 35 × 22 mm. A surgical excision of the tumor was proposed, and intra-operative pathology consultation returned positive for the suspected NET. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CK, CD56, Chromogranin, Synaptophysin, S100, and CD117. No thymic tissue was found. The Ki-67 was 4%. A diagnosis of primary NETs of the mediastinum, intermediate grade (G2), of atypical carcinoids according to WHO 2015 was established. This patient survived with no sequelae, no distant metastasis, no recurrence, and without adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy 2 years after surgery thanks to earlier diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention. Mediastinum ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors are a rare type of cancer. According to recent research, these tumors frequently display more aggressive behavior and are linked to endocrinopathies. It is noted that patient might have a better outcome and a longer survival time due to earlier detection and complete resection of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Bich Nga
- Department Endocrinology & Respirology, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mac-Thi Thom
- Department Endocrinology & Respirology, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tran-Thi Hai
- Department Endocrinology & Respirology, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen-Thi Thanh Huong
- Department Endocrinology & Respirology, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Duy Thang
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tran Ngoc Minh
- Department of Pathology, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Minh Duc
- Department of Radiology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Ward 12 District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Testori A, Perfetti V, De Carlo C, Bossi P, Alloisio M, Mangiameli G. Locally advanced primary mediastinal atypical carcinoid successfully resected after neoadjuvant treatment: A case report. Thorac Cancer 2021; 12:2415-2419. [PMID: 34346158 PMCID: PMC8410547 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are epithelial neoplasms with predominant neuroendocrine differentiation that arise in most organs of the body. Mediastinal NETs are very rare, and account for no more than 5% of all mediastinal tumors. R0 surgery represents the milestone of treatment. Here, we describe a case of a locally advanced primary atypical carcinoid of the mediastinum. This was initially considered inoperable due to infiltration of a great vessel and was successfully resected after neoadjuvant treatment as a result of very extensive surgery. Only through an accurate preoperative diagnosis and good radiological planning is it possible to obtain satisfactory oncological results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Testori
- Division of Thoracic SurgeryIRCCS Humanitas Research HospitalMilanItaly
| | - Vittorio Perfetti
- Internal Medicine UnitOncologia Oltrepò, Ospedale di Varzi, ASST PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Camilla De Carlo
- Department of PathologyHumanitas Clinical and Research Center – IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Paola Bossi
- Department of PathologyHumanitas Clinical and Research Center – IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Marco Alloisio
- Division of Thoracic SurgeryIRCCS Humanitas Research HospitalMilanItaly
- Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityMilanItaly
| | - Giuseppe Mangiameli
- Division of Thoracic SurgeryIRCCS Humanitas Research HospitalMilanItaly
- Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityMilanItaly
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Liu H, Liu L, Chen Y. Thymic carcinoid mimicking mediastinal lymphoma on 18F-FDG PET/CT. J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:1193-1195. [PMID: 32236838 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-020-02105-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huipan Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25 TaiPing St., Jiangyang District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25 TaiPing St., Jiangyang District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25 TaiPing St., Jiangyang District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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Landry I, Medina Mora LA, Siddiqui R, Tumarinson T, Reich DM. Atypical Carcinoid Tumor of the Mediastinum Presenting as Cushing's Syndrome in an Otherwise Healthy Young Male. Cureus 2021; 13:e14940. [PMID: 34123637 PMCID: PMC8189530 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare types of malignancies that can have a variety of presentations due to the ubiquitous distribution of neuroendocrine cells within the body. While mediastinal masses are not uncommon, NETs arising from the anterior mediastinum are rare and often originate from the thymus gland. A subset of NETs, atypical carcinoids, are more commonly seen in the lungs or gastrointestinal organs and often present with endocrine syndromes, chiefly Cushing’s syndrome. The behavior of atypical carcinoid tumors within the mediastinum is often aggressive and clinical presentations vary widely. In this report, we describe a case of an atypical carcinoid tumor within the anterior mediastinum in an otherwise healthy young male with signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Landry
- Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Queens Hospital Center, New York City, USA
| | - Luis A Medina Mora
- Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Queens Hospital Center, New York City, USA
| | - Raheel Siddiqui
- Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Queens Hospital Center, New York City, USA
| | - Taisiya Tumarinson
- Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Queens Hospital Center, New York City, USA
| | - David M Reich
- Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Queens Hospital Center, New York City, USA
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Kosmas K, Vamvakaris I, Klapsinou E, Psychogiou E, Riga D. Primary Mediastinal Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Case of Atypical Carcinoid. Cureus 2021; 13:e12853. [PMID: 33628702 PMCID: PMC7897398 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary mediastinal neuroendocrine tumor (PMNET) is an extremely rare clinical entity and few cases have been described in the literature. Here, we report a histologically confirmed rare PMNET case of a 66-year-old male patient with a mass detected in the anterior upper mediastinum by chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Early detection and surgical intervention of this neoplasm are critical for long term survival, though the tumor is associated with a dismal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Kosmas
- Cytology Department, General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases of Athens "Sotiria", Athens, GRC
| | - Ioannis Vamvakaris
- Pathology Department, General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases of Athens "Sotiria", Athens, GRC
| | - Eirini Klapsinou
- Department of Cytology, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Center of Athens "Hygeia", Athens, GRC
| | - Eleni Psychogiou
- Pathology Department, General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases of Athens "Sotiria", Athens, GRC
| | - Dimitra Riga
- Pathology Department, General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases of Athens "Sotiria", Athens, GRC
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Xie H, Pather S, Yeo D, Mylvaganam G, Venclovas R, Anderson L. Precaval recurrent endometrial cancer treated with en-bloc resection of the inferior vena cava and reconstruction using bovine pericardium. A case report and review of the literature. Gynecol Oncol Rep 2020; 34:100679. [PMID: 33304980 PMCID: PMC7718161 DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2020.100679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine pericardium for IVC reconstruction has significant advantages comparing to vascular ligation, autogenous or PTFE grafts. En-bloc resection of metastatic precaval lymph nodes and reconstruction of the IVC is feasible. Recurrence of endometrial cancer at para-aortic lymph nodes is good candidate for secondary cytoreduction with MDT approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Xie
- Sydney Gynaecologic Oncology Group, Chris O Brien Lifehouse Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia
| | - Selvan Pather
- Sydney Gynaecologic Oncology Group, Chris O Brien Lifehouse Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - David Yeo
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Chris O Brien Lifehouse Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gaithri Mylvaganam
- Sydney Gynaecologic Oncology Group, Chris O Brien Lifehouse Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rasa Venclovas
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Chris O Brien Lifehouse Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lyndal Anderson
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
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Abelian K, Akano OI, Penha D, Guedes-Pinto E, Ntouskou M. Carcinoid tumor of the anterior mediastinum in a 38-year-old woman. Radiol Case Rep 2020; 15:2018-2021. [PMID: 32874403 PMCID: PMC7452075 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2020.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mediastinal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are very rare. They have been estimated to account for approximately 2%-4% of all anterior mediastinal neoplasms. Carcinoid tumors are a type of NET that can occur in a number of locations. They arise from endocrine amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation cells that can be found in organs such as the lungs. In general, they are slow growing tumors but are nevertheless capable of metastasizing. We present the case of a carcinoid tumor of the anterior mediastinum in a 38-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 4-month history of worsening breathless and cough. Definitive diagnosis was based on histopathological examination and immunophenotypic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Penha
- Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS FT, UK.,Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal
| | - Erique Guedes-Pinto
- Aintree University Hospital NHS FT, UK.,Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal
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Xuan WX, Li JJ, Shi YJ, Zhang XJ. Atypical carcinoid: A rare finding of a man with mediastinal mass: A case report. Mol Clin Oncol 2020; 12:325-328. [PMID: 32190314 PMCID: PMC7057924 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2020.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The present case report describes a case of mediastinal atypical carcinoid and a favorable outcome linked with the treatment. Mediastinal atypical carcinoid is a rare and aggressive type of neuroendocrine tumor. A 56-year-old man was admitted at the Respiratory Department due to intermittent tightness of the chest for 1 month. An initial diagnosis of a mass in the left anterior mediastinum was conducted using CT scan and immunohistochemistry. Laboratory data revealed the following values: Neuron Specific Enolase of 62.13 ng/ml (reference range, 0-40 ng/ml); CYFRA21 of 3.01 ng/ml (reference range, 0-3.3 ng/ml); CEA of 4.22 (0-6.5) ng/ml; SCC of 0.5 (0-1.5) ng/ml; CA125 of 67.24 (0-35) U/ml; AFP of 23 (0-25) U/ml; CRP of 96.7 (0-10) mg/l; PCT <0.05 (0-0.05) ng/ml; and ESR of 48 (0-20) mm/h. Tissue pathology revealed tumor cells with small cell pattern, and cell proliferation activity was 10%. Combined chemotherapy with bevacizumab (0.4 g, qd, once every 21 days) and capecitabine (0.15 g, Bid, Po) and timozolamine (0.34 mg, qd, po) was administered for 6 cycles. After the patient was given chemotherapy, the symptoms and CT exhibited improvement. On March 11, 2018, the lesion progressed into the lymph and pleura. The patient was commenced on radiotherapy and new chemotherapeutic regimen etoposide (0.5 g)-carboplatin (0.4 g)-bevacate (0.4 g). Another CT scan was performed after a month which revealed a substantial decrease in tumor size. Hence, a CT scan was performed for this patient who further revealed a decrease in tumor size. Currently patients are treated with bevacizumab maintenance therapy. Further studies of conservative treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy may provide a treatment to improve atypical carcinoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xia Xuan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Jin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Jie Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Ju Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
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Lee J, Hyun K, Moon MH, Moon SW, Park JK, Choi SY, Sa YJ, Kim KS. Atypical Thymic Carcinoid in a Patient with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY 2019; 52:420-424. [PMID: 31832379 PMCID: PMC6901190 DOI: 10.5090/kjtcs.2019.52.6.420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Atypical thymic carcinoid is an extremely rare tumor with a poor prognosis. In addition to its known association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, its hallmark characteristics include local invasion and early distant metastasis. In this report, we share our experience treating atypical thymic carcinoid in a patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyun Lee
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwanyong Hyun
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi Hyoung Moon
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok Whan Moon
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Kil Park
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Si Young Choi
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Jo Sa
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Soo Kim
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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Pelosi G, Sonzogni A, Harari S, Albini A, Bresaola E, Marchiò C, Massa F, Righi L, Gatti G, Papanikolaou N, Vijayvergia N, Calabrese F, Papotti M. Classification of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors: new insights. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2017; 6:513-529. [PMID: 29114468 PMCID: PMC5653522 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr.2017.09.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors of the lung (Lu-NETs) embrace a heterogeneous family of neoplasms classified into four histological variants, namely typical carcinoid (TC), atypical carcinoid (AC), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Defining criteria on resection specimens include mitotic count in 2 mm2 and the presence or absence of necrosis, alongside a constellation of cytological and histological traits including cell size and shape, nuclear features and overall architecture. Clinically, TC are low-grade malignant tumors, AC intermediate-grade malignant tumors and SCLC/LCNEC high-grade malignant full-blown carcinomas with no significant differences in survival between them. Homologous tumors arise in the thymus that occasionally have some difficulties in differentiating from the lung counterparts when presented with large unresectable or metastatic lesions. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) helps refine NE diagnosis at various anatomical sites, particularly on small-sized tissue material, in which only TC and small cell carcinoma categories can be recognized easily on hematoxylin & eosin stain, while AC and LCNEC can only be suggested on such material. The Ki-67 labeling index effectively separates carcinoids from small cell carcinoma and may prove useful for the clinical management of a metastatic disease to help the therapeutic decision-making process. Although carcinoids and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas in the lung and elsewhere make up separate tumor categories on molecular grounds, emerging data supports the concept of secondary high-grade NETs arising in the preexisting carcinoids, whose clinical and biological relevance will have to be placed into the proper context for the optimal management of these patients. In this review, we will discuss the selected, recent literature with a focus on current issues regarding Lu-NET nosology, i.e., classification, derivation and tumor evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pelosi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Inter-hospital Pathology Division, Science & Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica Group, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelica Sonzogni
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Harari
- Department of Medical Sciences and Division of Pneumology, San Giuseppe Hospital, Science & Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica Group, Milan, Italy
| | - Adriana Albini
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis, Science & Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica Group, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrica Bresaola
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, and Pathology Division, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Massa
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, and Pathology Division, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisella Righi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Pathology Division, San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gaia Gatti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Pathology Division, San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Nikolaos Papanikolaou
- Inter-hospital Pathology Division, Science & Technology Park, IRCCS MultiMedica Group, Milan, Italy
| | - Namrata Vijayvergia
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fiorella Calabrese
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, and Pathology Division, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
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