Cervical large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with cytologic presentation: a case report

• Published in: Acta cytologica Vol. 54; no. 5 Suppl; p. 977
• Main Authors: Niwa, Kenji, Nonaka-Shibata, Mayuko, Satoh, Eriko, Hirose, Yoshiyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.09.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Carcinoma, Large Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Large Cell - surgery; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - pathology; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - surgery; Cell Nucleus - pathology; Cervix Uteri - pathology; Colposcopy; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - surgery
• ISSN: 0001-5547

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and aggressive cervical neoplasm. Few cytologic or colposcopic findings of LCNEC have been reported. A 37-year-old woman, gravida 6, para 4, presented with vaginal bleeding for 3 months. The cervical smears showed cells dispersed as single cells or arranged as loosely cohesive sheets or glandlike aggregate and the nuclear size was almost 3-5 times larger than that of small lymphocytes. The cytologic, pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations suggested LCNEC. The patient underwent a radical hysterectomy and then received radiation and systemic chemotherapy. Cytologic and colposcopic findings for LCNEC of the uterine cervix are reported. Patients with LCNEC have poor prognoses. Early diagnosis of the tumor is important.