Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the rectum is rare. Most patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. These malignancies have a worse prognosis compared with conventional adenocarcinoma, and there is no stan- dard treatment protocol. We report herein a case of NEC of the rectum with a short survival. A 60-year-old female was admitted to the emergency service with jaundice, abdominal pain, back pain and confusion, without a history of rectal bleeding. The imaging studies showed a rectal tumor, abdominal lymph- adenopathies, and multiple liver and vertebral metastases. Rectal biopsy was performed. The histopathologic findings were consistent with those of NEC. Palliative radiotherapy was planned for the spinal metastases, but the patient died before completing radiotherapy, within 1 month from diagnosis. In con- clusion, these neoplasms show a dramatic course, particularly in metastatic pa- tients, and there is a clear need for studies involving larger numbers of colon and rectum NEC patients. 

___

  • Aytac, E., Ozdemir, Y., Ozuner, G., 2014. Long term outcomes of neuroendocrine carcinomas (high-grade neuroendocrine tumors) of the colon, rectum, and anal canal. J. Visc. Surg. 151, 3-7.
  • Errasti, A.J., Espín, B.E., Reina, D.A., 2014. Rare tumors of the rectum. Narrative review. Cir. Esp. 92, 579-588.
  • Gould, V.E., Chejfec, G., 1978. Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon. Ultrastructural and biochemical evidence of their secretory function. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 2, 31-38.
  • Kang, H., O’Connell, J.B., Leonardi, M.J., Maggard, M.A., McGory, M.L., Ko, C.Y., 2007. Rare tumors of the colon and rectum: a national review. Int. J. Colorectal. Dis. 22, 183-189.
  • Minocha, V., Shuja, S., Ali, R., Eid, E., 2014. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum presenting with extensive metastatic disease. Case. Rep. Oncol. Med. 2014, 386379.
  • Miyamoto, H., Kurita, N., Nishioka, M., Ando, T., Tashiro, T., Hirokawa, M., Shimada, M., 2006. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cell carcinoma of the rectum: report of a case and literal review. J. Med. Invest. 53, 317-320.
  • Nojima, H., Seike, K., Kosugi, C., Shida, T., Koda, K., Oda, K., Kamata, S., Ishikura, H., Miyazaki, M., 2010. Advanced moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum with favorable prognosis by postoperative chemoradiation. World. J. Surg. Oncol. 8, 29.
  • Okuyama, T., Korenaga, D., Tamura, S., Yao, T., Maekawa, S., Watanabe, A., Ikeda, T., Sugimachi, K., 1999. The effectiveness of chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for recurrent small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the rectum: report of a case. Surg. Today. 29, 165-169.
  • Öberg, K., Knigge, U., Kwekkeboom, D., Perren, A., ESMO Guidelines Working Group, 2012. Neuroendocrine gastro-entero- pancreatic tumors: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann. Oncol. 23, 124-130.
  • Shafqat, H., Ali, S., Salhab, M., Olszewski, A.J., 2015. Survival of patients with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon and rectum: a population-based analysis. Dis. Colon. Rectum. 58, 294-303.
  • Smith, J.D., Reidy, D.L., Goodman, K.A., Shia, J., Nash, G.M., 2014. A retrospective review of 126 high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon and rectum. Ann. Surg. Oncol. 21, 2956-2962.
  • Sorbye, H., Welin, S., Langer, S.W., Vestermark, L.W., Holt, N., Osterlund, P., Dueland, S., Hofsli, E., Guren, M.G., Ohrling, K., Birkemeyer, E., Thiis-Evensen, E., Biagini, M., Gronbaek, H., Soveri, L.M., Olsen, I.H., Federspiel, B., Assmus, J., Janson, E.T., Knigge, U., 2013. Predictive and prognostic factors for treatment and survival in 305 patients with advanced gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinoma (WHO G3): the NORDIC NEC study. Ann. Oncol. 24, 152-160.
  • Vilallonga, R., Espín, B.E., López, C.M., Landolfi, S., Armengol, C.M., 2008. Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon and rectum. A unit’s experience over six years. Rev. Esp. Enferm. Dig. 100, 11-16.
  • Zhang, X., Ma, L., Bao, H., Zhang, J., Wang, Z., Gong, P., 2014. Clinical, pathological and prognostic characteristics of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms in China: a retrospective study. BMC. Endocr. Disord. 14, 54.