CT Findings of Surgically Resected Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung in 38 Patients

Abstract

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma usually appears as a well-defined and lobulated tumor with no air bronchograms or calcification. The inhomogeneous enhancement (caused by necrosis) seen in large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas with large diameters is not necessarily apparent in small-diameter (< 33 mm) large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, even if the tumor contains necrosis.

Accurate Diagnosis of Peripheral Small Cell Lung Cancer with Computed Tomography

“…Poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas appear on CT images as a well-defined solid mass showing lobulation or spiculation (Sone et al 1997;Wang et al 2000). Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma appears on CT images as a solid mass with marginal characteristics similar to those observed in SCLCs (Oshiro et al 2004). It may be difficult to differentiate peripheral SCLCs from carcinoid tumors and benign diseases such as granuloma when peripheral SCLC appears on CT images as a welldefined solid mass with a relatively smooth surface.…”

Bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors

“…Calcification occurs in %10% of LCNECs, and nonhomogeneous enhancement due to intratumoral necrosis may also be present. 85 Most SCLCs are located centrally and are accompanied by mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, but 5% to 10% occur as nodules without lymphadenopathy. 86 Displacement or narrowing of the bronchial tree and major vessels and major athelectasis are also common features.…”

Cardiothoracic manifestations of neuroendocrine tumours

“…56,58 Multidetector CT features are non-specific and similar to other NSCLC, consisting of a peripheral, well-defined, lobulated and heterogeneously enhancing soft-tissue mass. 59 Larger tumours typically demonstrate heterogeneous attenuation on enhanced studies owing to the characteristic patchy foci of necrosis, although smaller tumours may appear homogeneous in spite of this.…”

“…59 Larger tumours typically demonstrate heterogeneous attenuation on enhanced studies owing to the characteristic patchy foci of necrosis, although smaller tumours may appear homogeneous in spite of this. 58 Tumour calcification is uncommon, although dystrophic calcification occurs in approximately 10% of LCNECs. 58 Other reported primary tumour morphological features include air bronchograms, cavitation and bubble lucency.…”

“…58 Tumour calcification is uncommon, although dystrophic calcification occurs in approximately 10% of LCNECs. 58 Other reported primary tumour morphological features include air bronchograms, cavitation and bubble lucency. 58 According to data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) programme of the US National Cancer Institute, Varlotto et al 60 identified 1211 patients with LCNEC, 7.6% of patients presenting with malignant pleural effusion at initial diagnosis, 3.6% of patients with multiple lesions in the same lobe, 2% of patients with separate nodules in different lobes and 2.7% of patients with contralateral lung nodules.…”