Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung is classified as a subtype of large cell carcinoma of the lung. It is also classified as a pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor.
The incidence peaks around the 6th decade 6. There is an increased male predilection 7. They are rare and may accounts for ∼3% of all lung cancers, although the proportion of lung cancers diagnosed as LCNEC may be be increasing 12.
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung are poorly differentiated and high-grade neuroendocrine tumors 10.
They have neuroendocrine morphology, neuroendocrine differentiation on immunohistochemistry, often high mitotic rates (>10 mitoses/mm2) and non-small cell cytological features 12.
As with other neuroendocrine cells of the lung, LCNECs arise from Kulchitsky cells of the bronchial mucosa 3.
Associations
There is a strong association with smoking 11.
CT
CT features are non-specific. LCNECs, in general, tend to present as oval-to-round and well-demarcated masses with lobulated margins. Their size typically ranges from 2 to 5 cm. Internal calcification is uncommon (9-21%) 2,4,7. A slight peripheral predilection may be present 5. There can be homogeneous or inhomogeneous enhancement following contrast 1.
Treatment and prognosis
They tend to be aggressive high-grade tumors with a poor prognosis 6. The overall prognosis is thought to be between that of an atypical pulmonary carcinoid and small cell lung cancer 3.
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- 11. Fasano M, Della Corte CM, Papaccio F, Ciardiello F, Morgillo F. Pulmonary Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: From Epidemiology to Therapy. (2015) Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. 10 (8): 1133-41. doi:10.1097/JTO.0000000000000589 - Pubmed
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