Primary small cell carcinoma of lacrimal sac: case report and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
We present the first reported case of primary small cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac.


METHODS
A 67-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our department with a two-month history of left medial canthal swelling, epiphora and occasional nasal bleeding. Nasal endoscopy revealed a readily bleeding tumour in the left inferior meatus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated that the tumour was mainly located in the left lacrimal sac. Histopathological studies of a biopsy specimen revealed small cell carcinoma. The patient was treated with four cycles of chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide, in combination with radiotherapy. There was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis for five years.


CONCLUSIONS
Small cell carcinoma originating in the head and neck region has been reported to be highly aggressive and to have a poor prognosis. We report a case of primary small cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac successfully treated with chemo-radiotherapy.
Goto
T
T
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical College, Obihiro, Japan.
Bandoh
N
N
Nagato
T
T
Takahara
M
M
Harabuchi
Y
Y
Tokusashi
Y
Y
Miyokawa
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D004724:Endoscopy; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods