Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that usually originates in the lungs but can also arise from extrapulmonary sites. Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (EPSCCs) are aggressive and rare, with limited data guiding their management. This case report contributes...

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Main Authors: Kholoud Alqasem, Sakhr Alshwayyat, Salsabeel Aljawabrah, Sundus Yahya Nser, Ala’aldin Eqleem, Mohammad Abu Shattal, Maisoon Hajir, Mohammed Al-mahdi Al-kurdi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03433-y
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author Kholoud Alqasem
Sakhr Alshwayyat
Salsabeel Aljawabrah
Sundus Yahya Nser
Ala’aldin Eqleem
Mohammad Abu Shattal
Maisoon Hajir
Mohammed Al-mahdi Al-kurdi
author_facet Kholoud Alqasem
Sakhr Alshwayyat
Salsabeel Aljawabrah
Sundus Yahya Nser
Ala’aldin Eqleem
Mohammad Abu Shattal
Maisoon Hajir
Mohammed Al-mahdi Al-kurdi
author_sort Kholoud Alqasem
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that usually originates in the lungs but can also arise from extrapulmonary sites. Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (EPSCCs) are aggressive and rare, with limited data guiding their management. This case report contributes to the literature by presenting the diagnosis and treatment of primary peritoneal SCC. Case presentation This case describes a 69-year-old man who presented with abdominal distension and pain, raising concerns for metastasis. He had a history of prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Biopsy and imaging revealed metastatic SCC involving the peritoneum and omentum. A diagnosis of primary peritoneal SCC or SCC of unknown primary origin was made due to the absence of a detectable primary tumor in typical sites. The patient underwent three separate courses of carboplatin/etoposide chemotherapy (6 cycles each), with each course resulting in significant disease regression and symptom relief. Recurrence was managed effectively with repeated chemotherapy cycles, but long-term follow-up showed the need for continued treatment to maintain disease control and quality of life. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and patient-centered care in managing rare cancers like primary peritoneal SCC. Further research is essential to clarify its molecular characteristics and improve therapeutic options. Graphical abstract
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spelling doaj-art-00272ec0ffab4e1abe9125239889e5cd2025-08-24T11:36:04ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-08-0116111210.1007/s12672-025-03433-yChemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinomaKholoud Alqasem0Sakhr Alshwayyat1Salsabeel Aljawabrah2Sundus Yahya Nser3Ala’aldin Eqleem4Mohammad Abu Shattal5Maisoon Hajir6Mohammed Al-mahdi Al-kurdi 7Department of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer CenterResearch Center, King Hussein Cancer CenterSchool of Medicine, The University of JordanSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hashemite UniversitySchool of Medicine, The University of JordanDepartment of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer CenterDepartment of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer CenterFaculty of Medicine, University of AleppoAbstract Background Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that usually originates in the lungs but can also arise from extrapulmonary sites. Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (EPSCCs) are aggressive and rare, with limited data guiding their management. This case report contributes to the literature by presenting the diagnosis and treatment of primary peritoneal SCC. Case presentation This case describes a 69-year-old man who presented with abdominal distension and pain, raising concerns for metastasis. He had a history of prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Biopsy and imaging revealed metastatic SCC involving the peritoneum and omentum. A diagnosis of primary peritoneal SCC or SCC of unknown primary origin was made due to the absence of a detectable primary tumor in typical sites. The patient underwent three separate courses of carboplatin/etoposide chemotherapy (6 cycles each), with each course resulting in significant disease regression and symptom relief. Recurrence was managed effectively with repeated chemotherapy cycles, but long-term follow-up showed the need for continued treatment to maintain disease control and quality of life. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and patient-centered care in managing rare cancers like primary peritoneal SCC. Further research is essential to clarify its molecular characteristics and improve therapeutic options. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03433-yChemotherapyExtrapulmonary small cell carcinomasNeuroendocrine tumorsPeritonealSmall cell carcinoma
spellingShingle Kholoud Alqasem
Sakhr Alshwayyat
Salsabeel Aljawabrah
Sundus Yahya Nser
Ala’aldin Eqleem
Mohammad Abu Shattal
Maisoon Hajir
Mohammed Al-mahdi Al-kurdi
Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma
Discover Oncology
Chemotherapy
Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas
Neuroendocrine tumors
Peritoneal
Small cell carcinoma
title Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma
title_full Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma
title_fullStr Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma
title_short Chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma
title_sort chemotherapy response in primary peritoneal small cell carcinoma
topic Chemotherapy
Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas
Neuroendocrine tumors
Peritoneal
Small cell carcinoma
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03433-y
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AT sakhralshwayyat chemotherapyresponseinprimaryperitonealsmallcellcarcinoma
AT salsabeelaljawabrah chemotherapyresponseinprimaryperitonealsmallcellcarcinoma
AT sundusyahyanser chemotherapyresponseinprimaryperitonealsmallcellcarcinoma
AT alaaldineqleem chemotherapyresponseinprimaryperitonealsmallcellcarcinoma
AT mohammadabushattal chemotherapyresponseinprimaryperitonealsmallcellcarcinoma
AT maisoonhajir chemotherapyresponseinprimaryperitonealsmallcellcarcinoma
AT mohammedalmahdialkurdi chemotherapyresponseinprimaryperitonealsmallcellcarcinoma