Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina: a rare instance of prolonged survival

Abstract

Small cell carcinoma (SmCC) of the vagina is a rare and aggressive tumour. It comprises only 1% –2% of all gynaecological malignancies 85% of the patients with SmCC vagina die within a year of diagnosis. Here we report the case of a 65-year-old woman with stage III primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of vagina who was treated with chemoradiotherapy. The patient survived 1 year and 10 months after the initial presentation. SmCC of the vagina is very rare and despite being aggressive, the local disease can be controlled with a chemoradiation regimen.

Secondary small cell vaginal cancer after operative therapy for endometrial cancer

“…The small cell carcinoma is rare and accounts for 2% of malignancies diagnosed in the genital tract of female. Most common sites were the ovary and uterine cervix in previous reports [1][2][3][4][5][6]. It resembles small cell lung cancer.…”

“…Small cell carcinoma is one of types of neuroendocrine cancers. Most common site is the lungs, accounting for 20% of lung cancers [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The small cell carcinoma is rare and accounts for 2% of malignancies diagnosed in the genital tract of female.…”

“…It resembles small cell lung cancer. Small cell vaginal cancer is very rare, and there are approximately 40 reported cases previously [1][2][3][4][5][6]. There is no reported case of secondary small cell vaginal cancer after hysterectomy including an operative therapy for endometrial cancer.…”

“…Moreover, stage I patients develop progression and die within a few years in most cases, and there are only few reported cases of longterm survival [6]. There is no established treatment, since this disease is rare, and treatments have frequently resulted in miserable outcomes [1][2][3][4][5][6]. According to the previous reports, surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination therapy is selected [6].…”

“…Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the genital tract of the female is rare, and most common sites were the ovary and uterine cervix in previous reports [1]. Primary neuroendocrine vaginal cancer is very rare, and approximately 40 cases have been reported [1][2][3][4][5][6]. There is no reported case of secondary neuroendocrine vaginal cancer.…”