Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung: Updates and Diagnostic Pitfalls

Yin P Hung

doi:10.1016/j.path.2019.08.012

Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung: Updates and Diagnostic Pitfalls

Surg Pathol Clin. 2019 Dec;12(4):1055-1071. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2019.08.012. Epub 2019 Sep 27.

Author

Yin P Hung¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 31672294
DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2019.08.012

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors of the lung constitute approximately 20% of all primary lung tumors and include typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, small cell carcinoma, and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Given their morphologic overlap with diverse mimics, neuroendocrine tumors of the lung can be diagnostically challenging. This review discusses the clinical, histologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular features of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, along with common diagnostic pitfalls and strategies for avoidance.

Keywords: Atypical carcinoid; Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma; Small cell carcinoma; Typical carcinoid.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
Carcinoma, Small Cell / genetics
Carcinoma, Small Cell / mortality
Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology*
Diagnosis, Differential
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Lung Neoplasms / genetics
Lung Neoplasms / mortality
Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
Neuroendocrine Tumors / genetics
Neuroendocrine Tumors / mortality
Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology*
Prognosis
Survival Analysis