Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck: report of three cases
H Matsuyama1, K Yamazaki, M Tomita
1Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University, Japan.
Objective:
Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck is rare and has unique histopathological characteristics that make it difficult to diagnose and treat. In this report, the Japanese Lung Cancer Treatment Guidelines were adapted to treat three patients with small cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and outcomes evaluated.
Methods:
There was one case each of stage I small cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity, stage IV-B small cell carcinoma of the ethmoid sinus, and stage IV-A small cell carcinoma of the submandibular gland. All patients underwent chemoradiotherapy and achieved a partial response.
Results:
Only case one underwent surgery after chemoradiotherapy; 31 months after treatment, this patient had suffered no recurrence. Case two died three months after treatment due to bone marrow metastasis. Case three had experienced no progression after 12 months of follow up.
Conclusion:
In this small patient series, short-term results were equivalent to or better than usual treatment outcomes for small cell carcinoma of the lung.
Insights
This study adapted lung cancer guidelines for head and neck small cell carcinoma. Chemoradiotherapy showed promising short-term outcomes, comparable to lung cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Head and Neck Surgery
Background:
- Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is a rare malignancy with distinct histopathological features.
- Diagnosis and treatment of SCCHN present significant challenges.
- Standard treatment protocols for SCCHN are not well-established.
Observation:
- Three patients with SCCHN (nasal cavity, ethmoid sinus, submandibular gland) were treated.
- Treatment involved adapting the Japanese Lung Cancer Treatment Guidelines.
- All patients received chemoradiotherapy, achieving partial responses.
Findings:
- One patient with stage I nasal cavity SCCHN achieved no recurrence 31 months post-surgery after chemoradiotherapy.
- One patient with stage IV-B ethmoid sinus SCCHN died from bone marrow metastasis three months post-treatment.
- One patient with stage IV-A submandibular gland SCCHN showed no progression at 12 months follow-up.
Implications:
- Adapted lung cancer treatment guidelines show potential for SCCHN management.
- Short-term outcomes in this series appear comparable or superior to established lung cancer treatment outcomes.
- Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to validate these findings.
