Small cell neuroendocrine tumor of the larynx--a small case series

Neuroendocrine tumors are the most common nonsquamous types of laryngeal neoplasms. They are classified as typical carcinoids, atypical carcinoids, small-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, and paragangliomas. The aim of the paper is to present four patients with small-cell neuroendocrine tumor arising in larynx. There were one woman and three men whose ages were 47-77 years; all of them had metastases when first seen. The clinical presentation and management of such type of tumor are discussed. Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are very aggressive neoplasms. Patients could benefit from surgery, but radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain the treatment of choice. Examination of a large series is required to define the most useful diagnostic methods and the most successful treatment modalities.