Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of buccal mucosa: Innocuous but invasive

Vaishali Narayen, N D V N Shyam, Renukuntla Shravani, Mudududla PriyankaJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology 2022 26(5):91-95
Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) was first described in the 19th century which is usually seen in association with lung cancer and is very rare in the oral cavity. Here, we report one such case in a 39-year-old male patient who presented with swelling on the left middle third of the face for 6 months. This is the 12th SNEC of oral cavity case so far reported in the English literature and the third case to be present on buccal mucosa. It presented as a nodular swelling over the buccal mucosa and was clinically diagnosed as a traumatic fibroma. The histopathological sections showed diffuse sheets of round cells with granular chromatin. Immunohistochemical findings helped us arrive at a final diagnosis. SNECs are highly proliferative tumors characterized by early and widespread metastases through the vascular channels. Hence, the diagnosis and appropriate management of these lesions is important to decrease the morbidity and mortality rate.

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - February 28, 2022 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Vaishali Narayen N D V N Shyam Renukuntla Shravani Mudududla Priyanka Source Type: research