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Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological study with identification of potential diagnostic mimics
Author(s) -
Quinn Anne Marie,
Blackhall Fiona,
Wilson Godfrey,
Danson Sarah,
Clamp Andrew,
Ashcroft Linda,
Brierley Judith,
Hasleton Philip
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04247.x
Subject(s) - synaptophysin , pathology , carcinoma , immunohistochemistry , histopathology , medicine , small cell carcinoma , malignancy , cervix , large cell , neuroendocrine differentiation , adenocarcinoma , cancer , prostate cancer
Quinn A M, Blackhall F, Wilson G, Danson S, Clamp A, Ashcroft L, Brierley J & Hasleton P
(2012) Histopathology 61, 454–464 Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological study with identification of potential diagnostic mimics Aims: To evaluate the clinicopathological features of small cell carcinoma arising outside the lung. Methods and results: Thirty‐seven cases with a pathology diagnosis of extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) were selected. The clinical notes were reviewed and tumour blocks were selected for a fresh haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) section and immunohistochemical stains. The most common tumour locations were cervix and bladder. Twenty‐five cases (68%) were finally diagnosed as EPSCC, nine of which were found with coexisting non small cell carcinoma. Two cases (5%) were diagnosed as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the cervix. The remainder was classified as 10 poorly differentiated carcinomas (PDCs) (27%). Positive staining for thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF‐1) was noted in nine cases of EPSCC and in none of the cases of PDC ( P = 0.034). Synaptophysin immunoreactivity was found in 20 cases of EPSCC and two cases of PDC with neuroendocrine differentiation ( P = 0.002), as well as two cases of LCNEC. 34βE12 was positive in eight cases of SCC and two cases of PDC. Conclusions: Based on this series, EPSCC may be overdiagnosed. Immunohistochemistry for TTF‐1, used in combination with synaptophysin, may help to discriminate EPSCC from PDC.