title: Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH)--An uncommon precursor of a common cancer?
abstract: Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare, likely under recognized entity. We report on six cases of DIPNECH that were seen in Saskatoon, SK. The cases largely have the characteristics of the typical patient profile thus far described in the literature, consistent with the limited information reported to date. Furthermore, one case had co-existing squamous cell carcinoma, which has not been previously described, and one case had concomitant adenocarcinoma. In this context, we explore the hypothesis of whether DIPNECH could play a role as an uncommon precursor in pulmonary tumorigenesis. We also propose improved diagnostic criteria for DIPNECH, which are currently ill-defined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. Electronic address: nmb509@mail.usask.ca.
authors.forename: Nick M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Baniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. Electronic address: brent.wilde@saskatoonhealthregion.ca.
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. Electronic address: rani.kanthan@saskatoonhealthregion.ca.
authors.forename: Rani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kanthan
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000077192:Adenocarcinoma of Lung; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D055099:Neuroendocrine Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D012525:Saskatchewan
keywords: Adenocarcinoma; DIPNECH; Diagnostic criteria; Squamous cell carcinoma; Tumorigenesis; Tumorlet/carcinoid