Neuroendocrine tumors of the female reproductive tract are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that display various histologic findings and biologic behaviors. In this review, the classification and clinicopathologic characteristics of neuroendocrine tumors of the female reproductive tract are described. Differential diagnoses are discussed, especially for non-neuroendocrine tumors showing high-grade nuclei with neuroendocrine differentiation. This review also discusses recent advances in our pathogenetic understanding of these disorders.
Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Classification ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female* ; Humans ; Neuroendocrine Tumors*

BACKGROUND: Making the distinction between large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is difficult in some samples of biopsy tissues, but we have to separate LCNEC from SCLC because the two types of cancer may need different therapy and they have different prognostic implications. Thus far, there are no specific immunohistochemical markers that allow distinguishing these two kinds of tumors. METHODS: We performed an immunohistochemical analysis to study the expressions of p63, Bcl-2, and 34betaE12 and to investigate whether these 3 molecules have correlations in LCNEC and SCLC. We also evaluated the expression of the neuroendocrine markers chromogranin, synaptophysin and CD56. RESULTS: A statistical analysis was performed for p63, Bcl-2, and 34betaE12 in separate and combined panels. According to the combinations of p63, Bcl-2, and 34betaE12, there were frequent expressions of p63-/Bcl-2+ or Bcl-2+/34betaE12- in the SCLC, and there was a superior proportion of them in the SCLC rather than that in the LCNEC. The p63-/Bcl-2+ and Bcl-2+/34betaE12- antibody combinations showed higher specificities compared to any single antibody for diagnosing SCLC. CONCLUSIONS: Bcl-2 and selective p63 or 34betaE12 made up a most useful panel of markers for making the differential diagnosis of LCNEC and SCLC.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Synaptophysin

Neuroendocrine tumors of the gallbladder are rare, and typically found incidentally after a cholecystectomy. Few data are available on adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-producing neuroendocrine tumors originating specifically from the gallbladder. We experienced the case of a patient with a gallbladder mass who presented with Cushing's syndrome, who was subsequently diagnosed as an ACTH-producing neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder. Despite being rare, hormone-producing neuroendocrine tumors should be part of the differential diagnosis in patients with Cushing's syndrome.
ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine* ; Cholecystectomy ; Cushing Syndrome* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx arise from APUD (amine precursor uptake and decarboxylase) cells. Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx canbe divided into those of epithelial or neural origin. The latter consists of paragangliomas while the group of the epithelial origin can be further divided into typical and atypical carcinoids, and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, which consist of the oat cell type, the intermediate cell type and the combined cell type. There are now over 500 cases of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx reported in the literature. The diagnosis is primarily based on light microscopy and; in some instances, it may be supported by special histochemical studies. It should be confirmed by immunocytochemical and/or ultrastructural investigation. The different biological behavior of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx makes a specific diagnosis of paramount importance, since treatment depends on accurate diagnosis. We experienced 4 cases of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx, and which we report with a review of literatures.
Avena ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Diagnosis ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Larynx* ; Microscopy ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Paraganglioma

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a type of undifferentiated, malignant neuroendocrine tumor. Most of neuroendocrine tumors exhibit well-differentiated features and are classified as carcinoid tumors. However, carcinomas of the liver with anaplastic characters, which are classified as small-cell carcinomas are extremely rare and only few cases have been reported in the literature. We report an unusual case of primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver in a 67-year-old man. The patient was found to have a palpable mass on right upper quadrant of abdomen on physical examination. The diagnosis was made by immunohistochemical stains of biopsied specimen from the liver. Other possible primary site was excluded by radiologic and endoscopic evaluations. The tumor was composed of small monotonous and hyperchromatic poorly differentiated cells with higher nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, and were positive for neuroendocrine tissue markers such as synaptophysin, c-kit, and CD56.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/*diagnosis/pathology ; Carcinoma, Small Cell/*diagnosis/pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Male

Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinomas are very rare and have a poor prognosis. In addition, the optimum treatment has not been established due to the rarity of the condition. An accurate differential diagnosis is important because treatments and clinical courses differ from those of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. We report a case of a 61-year-old female who underwent endoscopy for dysphagia and was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus, which was successfully resected by esophagectomy.
Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endoscopy ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus ; Female ; Humans ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Prognosis

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare primary cutaneous small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is a tumor with distinct cytological features. In many cases, immunohistochemical staining (IHC) is required for the differentiation from other small round cell malignancies. Here we describe the cytological findings of Merkel cell carcinoma; these findings contributed to the diagnosis prior to performing IHC. A lower eyelid mass was excised and submitted for frozen section diagnosis. The frozen section diagnosis was consistent with a malignancy, but the more specific diagnosis was limited by the lack of specific histological features. Touch imprint cytology revealed a high cellularity with loosely cohesive small to large sized cells. The tumor cells showed hyperchromatic nuclei with fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli, and thin-rimmed-cytoplasm including the characteristic eosinophilic button-like paranuclear inclusion, previously described as a pathognomonic cytological finding of MCC; this was not found in the H&E frozen section. In conclusion, we suggest that the touch imprint cytology may help in the differential diagnosis of small round cell neoplasms prior to performing IHC especially in frozen section diagnosis.
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell* ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Chromatin ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eosinophils ; Eyelids ; Frozen Sections*

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology

Concurrent occurrence of an adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor in the stomach has been observed infrequently; moreover, a gastric collision tumor of both tumor types has rarely been seen. We describe a case of a gastric collision tumor following the differential diagnosis from observing the morphological patterns more closely using CT gastrography. The patient presented with a gastric collision tumor that consisted of an adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor in the antrum of the stomach.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A 67-year-old man presented with a 3-month history for intermittent epigastric pain and postprandial discomfort. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and contrast-enhanced axial computed tomographic scan demonstrated two separate tumors of the gastric antrum and the duodenal second portion, suggestive of the preoperative diagnosis of a double primary cancer. Pancreaticoduodenectomy with lymph node dissection was performed, and the microscopic features and immunohistochemical profiles of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of the composite neuroendocrine carcinoma with adenocarcinoma of the stomach (mixed exocrine-endocrine carcinoma).
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach*