Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas Arising in the Head and Neck Region

This study evaluated the clinical factors associated with outcomes of head and neck small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC-HN).

A retrospective review of clinical data was performed for 11 patients with SCNEC-HN treated at the Hamamatsu University Hospital (Hamamatsu, Japan). Clinical features, treatment methods, and outcomes were evaluated. The main outcome measurements were disease stage, patient age, primary tumor site, treatment procedures, and estimated survival rates. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Patients were followed for a mean of 40.0 months (range, 8 to 191 months). The 1-, 2-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 52.0, 20.8, and 10.4%, respectively. Rates did not differ significantly between the N2 and N0/1 groups, although the latter had a slightly better prognosis (P = .08).

Chemoradiotherapy was a reasonable treatment for patients with SCNEC-HN. Those with N0/1 or maxillary sinus SCNEC-HN had a better prognosis than those with N2 disease or cancers at other sites, respectively. However, more aggressive treatment might not be warranted even for patients with limited disease. The outcomes continue to be suboptimal, and more effective therapies are needed because most patients had local or distant failure.