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How phenotype guides management of the neuroendocrine carcinomas of the larynx

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 June 2018

F López ,
J L Hunt ,
I J Nixon ,
A Rinaldo ,
M D Williams ,
A Cardesa  and
A Ferlito
F López*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (‘IUOPA’), University of Oviedo, Spain Health Research Institute of the Principado de Asturias and Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium for Oncology (‘CIBERONC’), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Oviedo, Spain
J L Hunt
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA
I J Nixon
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
A Rinaldo
Affiliation:
University of Udine School of Medicine, Udine, Italy
M D Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
A Cardesa
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain
A Ferlito
Affiliation:
Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy*
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Fernando López, Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Avenida de Roma s/n, 33011 – Oviedo (Asturias), Spain E-mail: flopez_1981@yahoo.es
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Abstract

Objective

This review aimed to critically analyse data pertaining to the clinical presentation and treatment of neuroendocrine carcinomas of the larynx.

Method

A PubMed search was performed using the term ‘neuroendocrine carcinoma’. English-language articles on neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx were reviewed in detail.

Results and conclusion

While many historical classifications have been proposed, in contemporary practice these tumours are sub-classified into four subtypes: carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. These tumours exhibit a wide range of biological behaviour, ranging from the extremely aggressive nature of small and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, which usually have a fatal prognosis, to the less aggressive course of carcinoid tumours. In small and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, a combination of irradiation and chemotherapy is indicated, while carcinoid and atypical carcinoid tumour management entails conservation surgery.

Keywords

Neuroendocrine TumorsNeuroendocrine CarcinomaLarynxCarcinoid TumorsLaryngeal Cancer

Information

Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 7 , July 2018 , pp. 568 - 574
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Dr F López takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

*

This article was written by members of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group (www.IHNSG.com).

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