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Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma: a pictorial review
Stephanie Howard1, Kevin O'Regan, Jyothi Jagannathan
1Department of Radiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St, Boston, MA 02115, USA. sahoward@partners.org
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|August 25, 2011
Summary
Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) presents as aggressive tumors with nonspecific imaging features. While responsive to local therapy, these rare cancers frequently recur distantly.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy.
- Limited data exists on the specific imaging characteristics and metastatic patterns of EPSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a pictorial review of EPSCC across various organs.
- To emphasize the imaging appearance at initial presentation.
- To detail the radiologic patterns of recurrence and metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Review of imaging studies for patients diagnosed with EPSCC.
- Correlation of imaging findings with clinical presentation and pathology.
- Emphasis on pictorial representation of tumor appearance and metastatic spread.
Main Results:
- EPSCC often presents as large, aggressive tumors with nonspecific imaging features.
- Radiologic patterns of initial presentation and subsequent recurrence/metastasis were documented.
- Imaging findings were analyzed across multiple organ systems where EPSCC can arise.
Conclusions:
- The imaging appearance of EPSCC is frequently nonspecific.
- EPSCC shares similarities with pulmonary small cell carcinoma in its aggressive nature and tendency for distant recurrence.
- Despite potential response to local therapy, EPSCC exhibits a pattern of relentless distant recurrence.