title: Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Bibliographic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the urinary bladder is very rare. We intend to update diagnostic criteria, pathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics, prognosis and treatment options. All published articles related with LCNEC of the urinary bladder have been reviewed and a descriptive study has been done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 17 LCNEC of the bladder has been found. The 50% of all LCNEC of the bladder are mixed histological variant. This variant implies a better prognosis than the pure variant. The 70% of LCNEC of the bladder were ≥T3 at the time of diagnosis and the survival rate was 25%, whereas T2 tumors showed a survival rate of 100%. Radical cystectomy with lymphadenectomy combined with chemotherapy can sometimes reduce local and distant recurrence and improve survival of LCNEC of the bladder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LCNEC of the bladder is a tumor with high rate of local and distant recurrence, as well as low survival, requiring early diagnosis and aggressive combined treatment.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Hospital General de Castellón, Spain. Ivanjp82@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Iván J Povo
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Daniel Gallego
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Vilar
authors.forename: Jaume Miralles
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aguado
authors.forename: Carmen Garau
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Perelló
authors.forename: Miguel Rodrigo
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Aliaga
authors.forename: Vicente Gimeno
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Argente
authors.forename: Luis Alfaro
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ferreres
authors.forename: Juan Gallego
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gómez
mesh_terms: D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy