title: Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of larynx: case series and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of larynx is a rare, aggressive type of malignancy. As only about 200 cases worldwide have been reported, any larger institutional experience is valuable. This study reports our experience in managing this rare entity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the nine patients identified, three had metastatic cancer at the time of diagnosis. Four patients underwent radical treatment: one was managed surgically followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and consolidation radiotherapy; the remaining three were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and definitive radiotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 4 patients treated with radical intent, 1 was alive and disease free after 99 months, 2 died of metastatic disease after 22 and 26 months, and 1 was alive after 20 months with a diagnosis of recurrent disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our relatively small number of patients confirms other centres' experiences. This cancer has a poorer prognosis than most other head and neck cancers. Although the logistics would be challenging, there is a need for international multicentre trials for this disease modelled on those performed for other cancers, as has been done for paediatric malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology,Northern Centre for Cancer Care,Freeman Hospital,Newcaslte upon Tyne,UK.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahid
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology,Freeman Hospital,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paleri
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology,Sunderland Royal Hospital,UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moor
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology,Northern Centre for Cancer Care,Freeman Hospital,Newcaslte upon Tyne,UK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dobrowsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology,Northern Centre for Cancer Care,Freeman Hospital,Newcaslte upon Tyne,UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology,Northern Centre for Cancer Care,Freeman Hospital,Newcaslte upon Tyne,UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kovarik
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: Chemotherapy; Larynx; Neuroendocrine; Radiotherapy; Small Cell Carcinoma