Extrapulmonary Small Cell Cancer

Synonyms

Carcinoma with amine precursor uptake decarboxylation cell differentiation; Kulchitsky cell carcinoma; Microcytoma; Oat cell carcinoma; Reserve cell carcinoma; Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Definition

Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) is a high grade epithelial cancer of neuroendocrine origin composed of small, round to fusiform cells with minimal cytoplasm that arises at various anatomical sites in the absence of a primary lung neoplasm.

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a distinct clinicopathological entity first described in the lung. It represents approximately 20% of all bronchogenic carcinoma. Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) indistinguishable from small cell lung cancerwas first reported in 1930. Since its first description, EPSCC has been reported in virtually all anatomical sites. The primary sites most frequently involved are gynecologic organs, especially the cervix; genitourinary organs, especially the urinary bladder; the gastrointestinal...