Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma. Literature review

Abstract

The review shows the features of rare tumors extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (EPSCC). The possible approaches for the treatment of this unfavorable group of tumors are discussed. EPSCC can occur in every organ. The clinical course and morphology of EPSCC are similar to small lung cell carcinoma (SCLC). EPSCC belongs to the group of low-grade neuroendocrine tumors with high proliferative activity. There are a small number of publications in the literature concerning EPSCC. Basically, these publications concerning the various clinical cases with comments. Most often, EPSCC occurs in the female genital tract, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary SCC and known cases of SCC of the head and neck. The cases concerning SCC in other organs are also described. For the treatment of EPSCC are usually applied guidelines developed for SCLC, and several publications on the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of EPSCC have already appeared. The analysis of the available literature let us suggest EPSCC is a big problem that requires a more in-depth study and consensus guidelines adoption for the management of these patients.