An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of case of small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the ampullary region of the duodenum

Periampullary mass--a rare presentation of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancer of duodenum in a young adult: a case report and review of literature

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumour in the periampullary region of the duodenum is a rare entity. This entity usually present in old men. Here we report a periampullary poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancer (PDEC) of duodenum presenting in a young man with subacute history of jaundice, abdominal pain, pancreatitis and constitutional symptoms. MRI localised the tumour and endoscopy-guided biopsy of the lesion proved the diagnosis. Although palliative surgery and chemotherapy were planned, the patient opted to leave against medical advice.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, originally described in the lung. The tumor rarely occurs in extrapulmonary sites like the gastrointestinal tract, and only few examples have been described in the ampulla of Vater. A new case of large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater in a 60-year-old man is reported. After pancreatoduodenectomy, macroscopic examination revealed ulcerated tumor in the region of the ampulla of Vater. Microscopically, the tumor exhibited organoid, predominantly nested growth pattern, consisting of large, polygonal cells with pleomorphic nuclei. Average number of mitoses was 36 per 10 high-power fields. Small and large areas of necrosis were identified. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, PGP 9.5, neuron-specific enolase, pancytokeratin, CK8 and somatostatin and negative for CK7, CK20, S-100, TTF-1, HMB-45, CD117, E-cadherin and regulatory peptides. Ki-67 proliferative index was 41%. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) analysis showed almost identical results for HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3--60, 60.3 and 61%, respectively. Two months after surgery, liver metastases occurred, confirming highly aggressive behavior of large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Primary small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the duodenum - a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the duodenum is an extremely rare neoplasm with poor prognosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 57-year-old man presented with sudden onset gastrointestinal bleeding and fainting attacks. Duodenoscopy and hypotonic duodenography revealed a 3 x 3 cm protruding tumor with ulcerations situated opposite the ampulla of Vater in the second part of the duodenum. Local excision of the tumor was performed, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluoro uracil and leucovorin. Examination of the tumor by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy indicated it to be neuroendocrine in nature, expressing synaptophysin and AE1/AE3, and containing dense core granules. The patient showed no sign of recurrence and has been disease-free for more than 48 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Most cases of small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the duodenum show rapid progression of the disease, and even radical surgery with or without chemotherapy do not prevent death. We report a rare subtype of small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. This subtype appears to have a much better prognosis, and may be amenable to local excision, if the lesion is away from the ampulla of Vater.