Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: about 8 surgical cases.

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Pulmonary Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare tumor which accounts for 3% of lung cancers. It is part of the neuroendocrine spectrum of pulmonary tumors. Due to the rarity of this tumor, optimal treatment remains to be determined. We retrospectively evaluated outcomes in a series of patients with a pathological diagnosis of large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma, who underwent lung resection. <b>Patients and Methods:</b> In this case series, we retrospectively reviewed the patients with histologically proven Pulmonary Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma based on the WHO 2015 classification who underwent resection with a curative intent, at the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Abderrahmen Mami Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. <b>Results:</b> A total of 8 patients diagnosed with LCNEC from January 2016 to december 2020. The average patient age was 61.8 years. All 8 patients are males and all of them had a smoking history. One patient (12.5%) had pathologic stage I disease. One patient (12.5%) had pathologic stage IIB disease and six patients (75%) had pathologic stage IIIb disease. No patient underwent induction chemotherapy.&nbsp;Five lobectomies and 3 pneumonectomies were performed. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was performed for 4 patients; one patient underwent concurrent adjuvant radiochimiotherapy. Postoperative mortality was 0% and morbidity 36.5%. The median follow-up was 26 months. Three patients showed recurrence. Survival for the entire group was 62.5% at 1 year, 50% at 3 years. <b>Conclusion:</b> Surgery is associated with reasonable outcomes for early stages LCNEC. The optimal treatment strategies for lung LCNEC require further investigation.