Clinical features and hypoxic marker expression of primary sinonasal and laryngeal small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: a small case series

Abstract

BackgroundSmall-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) of the head and neck is rare. The prognosis of SCNEC in the nasal cavity and larynx is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features of nasal and laryngeal SCNEC and to determine the expression of HIF-1α, GLUT-1, PI3K, and p-Akt in SCNEC.MethodsBetween 2003 and 2012, 10 consecutive patients with histologically demonstrated nasal and laryngeal SCNEC were enrolled. Clinicopathological materials and follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect GLUT-1, HIF-1α, PI3K, and p-Akt expression in paraffin wax-embedded tumor specimens.ResultsThe subjects were eight males and two females with a mean age of 60.8 (range: 53 to 71) years. Tumors were located in the maxillary sinus (n = 3) and larynx (n = 7). At last follow-up, four patients (40.0%) had local recurrence and five patients (50.0%) had developed distant metastases. Six patients died. The mean overall survival was 19.3 ± 2.1 months. Expression of GLUT-1, HIF-1α, PI3K, and p-Akt was seen in sinonasal and laryngeal SCNEC in 80 (8 out of 10), 50 (5 out of 10), 40 (4 out of 10), and 40% (4 out of 10) of cases, respectively. Expression of GLUT-1, HIF-1α, PI3K, and p-Akt was higher in sinonasal and laryngeal SCNEC than in precancerous lesions.ConclusionsPrimary sinonasal and laryngeal SCNEC is rare. This paper presents 10 cases of sinonasal and laryngeal SCNEC with more common local recurrence and distant metastasis. HIF-1α, GLUT-1, PI3K, and p-Akt expression was higher in sinonasal and laryngeal SCNEC than in precancerous lesions.

Roles of GLUT-1 and HK-II expression in the biological behavior of head and neck cancer

“…Our previous studies showed high expression of GLUT-1 in head and neck cancer [54], ceruminous adenoma [55], head and neck inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors [56], and nasal and laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma [57]. Li detected GLUT-1 expression in all 25 cases of head and neck cancer examined, with expression found mainly in the cell membrane.…”

Small round blue cell tumors of the sinonasal tract: a differential diagnosis approach

“…In general, the tumors are clinically large and destructive, frequently accompanied by tumor necrosis (Figure 8), showing bone destruction, perineural invasion, and lymphovascular invasion. 52,80,85 The tumors grow in multiple patterns, including sheets, nests, lobules (Figure 8), ribbons, festoons, and trabeculae, occasionally showing rosettes or palisading. The cells are small to medium, with nuclear molding, apoptosis, prominent crush artifact, and cannibalism, with a high mitotic index (410/10 high power fields) including atypical forms.…”

shRNA Glut-1 inhibits cell viability, apoptosis and migration of laryngeal carcinoma HEp-2 cells through regulating Beclin-1-mediated autophagy

“…Glut-1, as an important carrier of glucose uptake and a major protein involved in the transport of glucose, plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of the body [9]. It has been reported that Glut-1 transporters are expressed at higher levels in human solid cancer cells compared to their normal counterparts [10][11][12]. Glut-1 also affects cell proliferation and chemoradiotherapy sensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including laryngeal carcinoma13-18.…”