Small Cell Carcinoma of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses

Abstract

Primary small cell carcinoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses is rare. This tumor appears to behave differently from the pulmonary small cell tumor, with propensity for local recurrence rather than early distant spread. Two new cases will be presented.SMALL cell carcinoma arising in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is very rare. Although references to highly undifferentiated and anaplastic carcinoma have appeared in the literature, the designation of small cell carcinoma of the nasal tract did not appear until 1972. Several additional cases have since been reported. Although these tumors were histologically identical to the small cell carcinoma arising in the lung, review of the literature suggests a different clincial behavior for these tumors arising in the nose and sinuses, with a propensity for local recurrence rather than early metastatic spread. This necessitaties a different treatment approach, using surgical extirpation of the lesion in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We have treated two such patients. CASE REPORTSCase 1.-A 54-year-old man was evaluated for intermittent epistaxis. Results of the initial examination were normal. Shortly after that, nasal obstruction and proptosis developed. A granular area was noted on the left middle turbinate. Decreased sensation was noted along the first and second divisions of the fifth cranial nerve. Medial and lateral gaze was restricted. Pupillary responses were normal. Admission

Spontaneous rupture of hepatic metastasis from small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of maxillary sinus

“…The tumors are composed of small-sized regular cells which are arranged in broad sheets, nests, and cords. Many of the cells contain cribriform nuclei with a fine reticular chromatin pattern and small to moderate amounts of cytoplasm [4]. Immunohistochemical observation is essential to make a pathological diagnosis.…”

Colliding Tumor of the Paranasal Sinus

“…In general, extrapulmonary site neuroendocrine carcinomas are thought to be derived from neuroendocrine amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation and they show characteristic nuclear features (the so-called salt-and-pepper appearance of the nuclear chromatin). 12 Immunohistochemistry is essential in supporting a definitive diagnosis of neuroendocrine malignancy when considering other entities of similar morphology occurring in the sinonasal tract. This includes rhabdomyosarcoma, natural killer-cell lymphoma, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.…”

A colliding maxillary sinus cancer of adenosquamous carcinoma and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma - a case report with EGFR copy number analysis

“…The tumors are composed of small-sized regular cells arranged in broad sheets, nests, and cords. Many of the cells contain cribriform nuclei with a fine reticular chromatin pattern and small to moderate amounts of cytoplasm [12]. Immunohistochemical study is essential to make an adequate differential diagnosis from other malignant tumors such as lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and undifferentiated sinonasal carcinoma.…”