Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2004 Mar;47(3):282-285.

Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland

• Chang HW
• Do HW
• Shin DW
• Kim WS

Abstract

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas mainly occur in the lung. Four percent of small cell carcinomas arise in extrapulmonary sites. In the head and neck region, small cell carcinomas arise most commonly in the larynx and very rarely in the parotid gland. Although the prognosis for patients with small cell carcinoma of the salivary glands is better than for those with small cell carcinoma of the lung or larynx, it is a high grade malignancy that is treated aggressively. We have recently experienced a case of primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of parotid gland with extensive neck metastases. The histopathologic findings showed undifferentiated small cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, numerous mitoses, ductal differentiations and squamous changes. The positive findings for CD56 and neuron specific enolase staining determined this carcinoma to be a neuroendocrine subtype, and the patient received chemoradiation after surgery. We present this case with a review of literatures.

Keyword

Parotid gland; Neuroendocrine; Small cell

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine
Carcinoma, Small Cell*
Head
Humans
Larynx
Lung
Mitosis
Neck
Neoplasm Metastasis
Parotid Gland*
Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
Prognosis
Salivary Glands
Phosphopyruvate Hydratase