title: [A case of small-cell carcinoma of the rectum].
abstract: A case of oat-cell carcinoma of the rectum prompted the authors to undertake a review of the literature. The main histological aspects allowing an accurate diagnosis are stressed. This is a rare form of highly malignant neoplasm of uncertain origin (probably similar to that of carcinoids) with a very marked tendency to metastasize, even to distant organs; it is characterized by substantial cellular polymorphism with small-sized elements, very little cytoplasm, a large hyperchromic nucleus, barely visible nucleoli and histochemical reactions typical of neuroendocrine cells.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica Generale, Università degli Studi di Genova.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fornaro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belcastro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo Presti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Estienne
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Antoniotti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferraris
mesh_terms: D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology
vernacular_title: Su un caso di carcinoma a piccole cellule del retto.