Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the esophagus are exceptionally rare, comprising only 0.04% of all neuroendocrine tumors. These malignancies can remain asymptomatic or manifest through digestive symptoms such as dysphagia and abdominal discomfort. Due to their rarity, limited studies exist, resu...

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Main Authors: Benayad Aourarh, Aziz Aourarh, Lina Belkouchi, Rachida Saouab, Mohamed Amine Essaoudi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325002110
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author Benayad Aourarh
Aziz Aourarh
Lina Belkouchi
Rachida Saouab
Mohamed Amine Essaoudi
author_facet Benayad Aourarh
Aziz Aourarh
Lina Belkouchi
Rachida Saouab
Mohamed Amine Essaoudi
author_sort Benayad Aourarh
collection DOAJ
description Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the esophagus are exceptionally rare, comprising only 0.04% of all neuroendocrine tumors. These malignancies can remain asymptomatic or manifest through digestive symptoms such as dysphagia and abdominal discomfort. Due to their rarity, limited studies exist, resulting in insufficient knowledge about their prognosis and treatment, with conflicting data in the literature.This report presents the case of a 62-year-old male chronic smoker with chronic dysphagia. Diagnostic evaluations, including gastroscopy and CT, revealed a circumferential lesion in the lower esophagus. Histopathological analysis confirmed a diagnosis of poorly differentiated large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.Esophageal NECs are aggressive and poorly understood tumors. Tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastatic status are critical factors influencing treatment decisions. However, there are no established guidelines for their management. Extensive research is urgently needed to develop standardized treatment approaches and improve the prognosis of patients with high-grade esophageal NECs.
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series Radiology Case Reports
spelling doaj-art-f4e22a58d1784fcca13ec3d22ffeb1da2025-08-20T02:12:07ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-06-012063021302310.1016/j.radcr.2025.03.002Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging diseaseBenayad Aourarh0Aziz Aourarh1Lina Belkouchi2Rachida Saouab3Mohamed Amine Essaoudi4Department of Gastroenterology I, Mohammed V Military Hospital, Mohammed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco; Corresponding author.Department of Gastroenterology I, Mohammed V Military Hospital, Mohammed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mohammed V Military Hospital, Mohammed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mohammed V Military Hospital, Mohammed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Pathology, Mohammed V Military Hospital, Mohammed V University, Faculty of medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Rabat, MoroccoNeuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the esophagus are exceptionally rare, comprising only 0.04% of all neuroendocrine tumors. These malignancies can remain asymptomatic or manifest through digestive symptoms such as dysphagia and abdominal discomfort. Due to their rarity, limited studies exist, resulting in insufficient knowledge about their prognosis and treatment, with conflicting data in the literature.This report presents the case of a 62-year-old male chronic smoker with chronic dysphagia. Diagnostic evaluations, including gastroscopy and CT, revealed a circumferential lesion in the lower esophagus. Histopathological analysis confirmed a diagnosis of poorly differentiated large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.Esophageal NECs are aggressive and poorly understood tumors. Tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastatic status are critical factors influencing treatment decisions. However, there are no established guidelines for their management. Extensive research is urgently needed to develop standardized treatment approaches and improve the prognosis of patients with high-grade esophageal NECs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325002110Neuroendocrine carcinomaEsophagusEndoscopyBiopsy
spellingShingle Benayad Aourarh
Aziz Aourarh
Lina Belkouchi
Rachida Saouab
Mohamed Amine Essaoudi
Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease
Radiology Case Reports
Neuroendocrine carcinoma
Esophagus
Endoscopy
Biopsy
title Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease
title_full Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease
title_fullStr Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease
title_full_unstemmed Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease
title_short Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: A clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease
title_sort esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma a clinical perspective on a rare and challenging disease
topic Neuroendocrine carcinoma
Esophagus
Endoscopy
Biopsy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325002110
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AT linabelkouchi esophagealneuroendocrinecarcinomaaclinicalperspectiveonarareandchallengingdisease
AT rachidasaouab esophagealneuroendocrinecarcinomaaclinicalperspectiveonarareandchallengingdisease
AT mohamedamineessaoudi esophagealneuroendocrinecarcinomaaclinicalperspectiveonarareandchallengingdisease