High-grade poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of the gastroenteropancreatic system: from morphology to proliferation and back.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_2C13A3478344
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
High-grade poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of the gastroenteropancreatic system: from morphology to proliferation and back.
Journal
Endocrine Pathology
Author(s)
La Rosa S., Sessa F.
ISSN
1559-0097 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1046-3976
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2014
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
25
Number
2
Pages
193-198
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; ReviewPublication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (PDNECs) of the gastroenteropancreatic system (GEP) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive malignancies with a high propensity for distant metastases and an ominous prognosis. They have traditionally been divided into small and large cell subtypes on morphological grounds. However, histological diagnosis needs to be supported by immunohistochemistry to avoid possible misdiagnoses either with the more frequent poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas or with lymphomas and mesenchymal neoplasms. Although it is well known that GEP PDNECs are associated with a poor prognosis, data from some published studies seem to suggest that there is a fraction of patients with PDNECs who have better survival than expected. GEP PDNECs are currently classified according to the criteria proposed in the 2010 WHO classification. They are simply called neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) and are defined by mitotic count >20 × 10 HPF and/or Ki-67 labeling index >20 %. However, a few recent papers have indicated that some NECs, as defined by the 2010 WHO scheme, do not show a poorly differentiated morphology as expected. This category seems to show a better prognosis and, especially, does not respond to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, which represents the goal standard therapeutic approach to high-grade PDNECs. In the present review, the main morphological, immunohistochemical, and prognostic features will be discussed as well as the opportunity to introduce a new category characterized by well to moderately differentiated morphology associated with high proliferation (mitotic count >20 × 10 HPF and/or Ki-67 index >20 %).
Keywords
Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/classification, Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/diagnosis, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/classification, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/diagnosis, Humans, Pancreatic Neoplasms/classification, Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnosis
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
06/09/2016 11:57
Last modification date
16/03/2023 11:14
Usage data