Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a malignant tumor with a poor prognosis and can grow at many different sites in the body, but the colon is a very rare site. Clinical Case: We report a case of a 62-year-old man operated on for a tumor of the cecum, which was diagnosed as a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. An immunohistochemical study showed positive marking with synaptophysin. No cancer metastasis was found. Postoperative chemotherapy was applied but the patient died after 8 months of disease progression. Results: The diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors is often late at the metastasis stage. Colonoscopy identifies most colonic NECs. An abdominal scanner can detect a colonic exophytic mass which is strongly enhanced after the injection of contrast product. The histological appearance is identical to that described in the lung and must be supplemented by an immunohistochemical study. Treatment: No consensus regarding the treatment of colorectal NEC. For localized tumors, surgery associated or not with adjuvant treatment is proposed while chemotherapy is associated or not with radiotherapy. Conclusion: Tumors with locoregional involvement have the best results with resection whenever possible. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary and systemic approach, and the therapy is limited.
Cite this paper
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