Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasopharynx: a rare case report

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma rarely appears primarily in the head and neck and exhibits aggressive behavior with a poor prognosis. The pathologist has a significant role in the diagnosis, and a consensual treatment still does not exist. The authors report the case of a middle-aged male patien...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniela Azevedo, Elisabete Rios, Lurdes Vendeira, Cristina Sarmento
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of São Paulo 2017-03-01
Series:Autopsy and Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.revistas.usp.br/autopsy/article/view/133304
Description
Summary:Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma rarely appears primarily in the head and neck and exhibits aggressive behavior with a poor prognosis. The pathologist has a significant role in the diagnosis, and a consensual treatment still does not exist. The authors report the case of a middle-aged male patient who presented repeated episodes of massive epistaxis. The diagnostic work-up disclosed the diagnosis of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasopharynx. The patient was treated with chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Imaging examinations performed after the end of treatment showed apparent complete remission of the disease. The patient was kept under active surveillance with no signs of local relapse or distant metastasis after 4 years of follow-up
ISSN:2236-1960