Primary neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant epithelial tumor that predominantly arises in the lungs. Primary SCC of the parotid gland is rare and difficult to diagnose by analysis of frozen sections obtained during surgery. Due to the aggressive nature of SCC and the frequent occurrence of distant metastases, identification of the disease is important. The current study reports the case of a male patient who presented with a right parotid gland mass. The tumor was resected and evaluated by light microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, cluster of differentiation 117, synaptophysin and thyroid transcription factor-1, which indicated that the tumor was a SCC of the parotid gland. An extended resection of the right parotid gland mass and dissection of the facial nerve were performed. Following discharge from the hospital, the patient received radiation therapy postoperatively. The patient has remained disease free during five months of follow-up.

Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Salivary Glands of the Palate: Report of a Rare Case and a Review of the Literature

“…SmCC has also been referred to as oat cell carcinoma, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma, small cell undifferentiated carcinoma, or anaplastic cell carcinoma (2,5). SmCC may also occur in non-pulmonary organs in which it is classified as extra-pulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSmCCs).…”

“…Synaptophysin, a membrane glycoprotein found in small presynaptic vesicles, is one of the neuroendocrine markers that can stain nerve and epithelial tumors (2,7). Chromogranin is a component of normal chromaffin granules that is frequently seen in many endocrine cells and endocrine tumors.…”

“…The larynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, oral cavity, cervical esophagus, and salivary glands are most commonly involved in cases involving the head and neck (2,3). In 1972, Olofsson and Van Nostrand reported the first case of SmCC in the head and neck, specifically located in the larynx (10).…”

“…Small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (SmCCs) are malignant epithelial neoplasms that mostly occur in the lungs (1,2). Primary extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (PESmCCs) are a rare malignancy accounting for 2.5% to 5% of all SmCCs.…”

“…Primary extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (PESmCCs) are a rare malignancy accounting for 2.5% to 5% of all SmCCs. In the head and the neck, SmCCs often arise in the larynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, oral cavity, cervical esophagus, and salivary glands (2,3). SmCCs in the salivary glands are rare, comprising only 2% of all tumors that occur in the salivary glands (4).…”