Clinico-pathologic Features of Esophageal Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Carcinomas, a Case Series and Review of Literature
Abstract Introduction/Objective Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) constitute an extremely rare and distinct group of neoplasms. The clinico-pathologic characteristics are poorly understood and differ starkly from high grade well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. Only one case series describing clinico-pathologic features of NECs has been described in recent literature. Methods We describe a case series of three patients highlighting the typical presentation, diagnostic techniques and pathologic attributes for this rare disease process. Results All three patients were middle age to elderly with two males (ages 58 and 83) and one female (age 72). The typical presentation was dysphagia (2/3, 66%) followed by severe GERD (1/3, 33%). Typical locations were distal esophagus (2/3, 66%) and gastro-esophageal junction (1/3, 33%). Computed tomography showed bulky masses in all patients (3/3, 100%) with median size of 5.6 cm. PET imaging showed metastatic disease (mediastinal or epigastric lymphadenopathy and lung metastasis) in 2/3, 66% of the patients. All the patients were found to have necrotic masses on EGD with biopsy showing poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma in all (3/3, 100%). Immuno- histochemical stains revealed Synaptophysin positivity in 3/3, 100%, Chromogranin in 1/3, 33% and CD56 in 1/3, 33% of the patients. Patients with metastatic disease at presentation (2/3, 66%) opted for palliative care while the patient without any evidence of metastasis (1/3, 33%) underwent surgical resection followed by chemotherapy. Conclusion ENCs are an exceedingly rare group of malignant neoplasm with variable presentations posing a diagnostic challenge for the clinician and pathologist alike. Most patients tend to be elderly with advanced disease at presentation and guarded prognosis. This case series underscores the importance of including this entity among the differential diagnosis for poorly differentiated carcinomas of the distal esophagus. IHC with positive neuroendocrine markers particularly Synaptophysin helps make the correct diagnosis when combined with typical morphology.