Case Reports
High-Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung Presenting an Unusual Spread Mimicking Pleural Mesothelioma Associated with Dermatomyositis

https://doi.org/10.1097/00000441-200404000-00009Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

Neuroendocrine tumors of the lung comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors that represents a spectrum of disease from typical carcinoid tumors to the high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and small-cell carcinomas). The high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas are characterized by early metastasis and poor prognosis. The peripheral location and especially the massive pleural spread are rare for a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. We report a case in which a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, associated with dermatomyositis, presented an unusual pattern of progression, mimicking malignant pleural mesothelioma on diagnostic imaging.

Section snippets

Case Report

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of pain and muscle weakness in the right arm. The patient had been well until 4 months earlier, when he began to have facial erythema and erythematous scaly plaque on the dorsal hands. One month later, he felt paresthesias in the third and fourth fingers of the right hand and pain in the right shoulder and arm. Two weeks before admission, he noted debilitating weakness, especially with the ability to grip his right hand. He had no history

Discussion

The high-grade NECs include not only SCCs but LCNECs. Studies with immunocytochemical and molecular methods support the concept that the high-grade NECs of the lung are a common group of neoplasms, distinct from carcinoid tumor. Uncertainty over the diagnosis of SCCs or LCNECs emerges because of their markedly overlapping cytological features as well as the subjectivity of diagnostic criteria. In addition, it is controversial whether the distinction between SCC and LCNEC has clinical value, in

References (8)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text