title: Spindle cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: report of a case with fine needle aspiration cytology and differential diagnostic considerations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spindle cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung may be frequently observed on fine needle cytology (FNC) samples and often pose stimulating differential diagnostic problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cytopathologic findings from FNC performed on a long-standing coin lesion of the lung in a 54-year-old woman were analyzed in view of the data and long clinical history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A final diagnosis of low grade spindle cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was reached by combining cytopathologic and immunocytochemical information. The main lesions considered in the differential diagnosis were intrapulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (fibrohistiocytic variant) and spindle cell thymoma.
authors.affiliation: Cytopathology Service, Department of Pathology Fondazione G. Pascale National Tumor Institute, Naples, Italy. fulcinit@unina.it
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fulciniti
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: La Vecchia
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Staiano
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tatangelo
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rocco
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Rocca
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Botti
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000502:physiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor