Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of cervical lymph node masquerading as non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A diagnostic challenge

Abstract

ABSTRACT A large extended family of tumors classified as neuroendocrine tumors most commonly occurs in the gastrointestinal tract and bronchus pulmonary tree. It is extremely unusual for a primary neuroendocrine tumor to present as a cervical lymph node mass at initial presentation. We discuss the rare case of a 55-year-old man who initially complained of a right neck mass that was misinterpreted as non-Hodgkin lymphoma on fine needle aspiration cytology. By integrating clinical findings, radiography, fine-needle aspiration cytology, histomorphology, and immunohistochemistry analysis, a definitive diagnosis of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervical lymph node was made. He received chemotherapy and decompressive radiation as treatment. Regarding the course of disease in the present case, the patients underwent a distant subcutaneous metastasis over the right anterior chest wall 10 months after the initial manifestation. The patient is still alive, albeit his general condition has gotten deteriorated, and he is getting regular follow-ups.