Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease

Introduction. Rectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a poorly differentiated neoplasm that is very rare and belongs within the poorest prognostic subgroup among primary colorectal neoplasms. Here, we describe a case of LCNEC of the rectum, which highlights the aggressive clinical cour...

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Main Authors: Vinay Minocha, Sania Shuja, Robert Ali, Emely Eid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/386379
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author Vinay Minocha
Sania Shuja
Robert Ali
Emely Eid
author_facet Vinay Minocha
Sania Shuja
Robert Ali
Emely Eid
author_sort Vinay Minocha
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Rectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a poorly differentiated neoplasm that is very rare and belongs within the poorest prognostic subgroup among primary colorectal neoplasms. Here, we describe a case of LCNEC of the rectum, which highlights the aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis associated with this disease. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 63-year-old male who presented to our hospital with a one-month history of lower abdominal pain, constipation, and weight loss. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a rectal mass as well as metastatic disease of the liver and lung. Flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed a fungating, ulcerated and partially obstructing rectal mass located 6 cm from the anal verge. This mass was biopsied and pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed features consistent with a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Conclusion. Rectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and have a significantly worse prognosis than adenocarcinomas. At diagnosis, a higher stage and metastatic disease are likely to be found. It is important to differentiate large cell, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas from adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum pathologically because patients may benefit from alternative cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimens.
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spelling doaj-art-0643dfc326ea445c8ad5cc53270a5e432025-08-20T02:03:42ZengWileyCase Reports in Oncological Medicine2090-67062090-67142014-01-01201410.1155/2014/386379386379Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic DiseaseVinay Minocha0Sania Shuja1Robert Ali2Emely Eid3Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USADepartment of Pathology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USADivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USADivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USAIntroduction. Rectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a poorly differentiated neoplasm that is very rare and belongs within the poorest prognostic subgroup among primary colorectal neoplasms. Here, we describe a case of LCNEC of the rectum, which highlights the aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis associated with this disease. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 63-year-old male who presented to our hospital with a one-month history of lower abdominal pain, constipation, and weight loss. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a rectal mass as well as metastatic disease of the liver and lung. Flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed a fungating, ulcerated and partially obstructing rectal mass located 6 cm from the anal verge. This mass was biopsied and pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed features consistent with a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Conclusion. Rectal large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and have a significantly worse prognosis than adenocarcinomas. At diagnosis, a higher stage and metastatic disease are likely to be found. It is important to differentiate large cell, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas from adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum pathologically because patients may benefit from alternative cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimens.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/386379
spellingShingle Vinay Minocha
Sania Shuja
Robert Ali
Emely Eid
Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease
Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
title Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease
title_full Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease
title_fullStr Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease
title_full_unstemmed Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease
title_short Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Rectum Presenting with Extensive Metastatic Disease
title_sort large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum presenting with extensive metastatic disease
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/386379
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AT robertali largecellneuroendocrinecarcinomaoftherectumpresentingwithextensivemetastaticdisease
AT emelyeid largecellneuroendocrinecarcinomaoftherectumpresentingwithextensivemetastaticdisease