CYTOLOGICAL APPROACH TO DIAGNOSISFOR LARGE CELL NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA

Abstract

Clinical data or investigation of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) have accumulated, some of which however, can be flawed by erroneous cytological diagnosis. In this report, we present a case of LCNEC suspected of originating in the lung, and discuss cytological features Qr differential diagnosis. Aspiration cytology showed clusters of tumor cells with large and polymorphic nuclei and distinct nucleoli. The cytoplasm was positive for some markers for neuroendocrines, is similarly as demonstrated in histological findings of metastasis in the cervical lymph node. LCNEC rapidly develops and often reaches an advanced stage, and we have sometirnes found that fine needle biopsy or cytology is the only tool for pathological suggestion or diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to accumulate case reports as presented here and confirm cytological features, which might help us to make an accurate diagnosis of LCNEC and to distinguish it from other neuroendocrine neoplasms including small cell carcinoma or poorly differentiated tumors.