ABSTRACT

Neuroendocrine tumors of the cervix are relatively uncommon. The variety of terms used to describe this cancer have resulted in confusion as to its true incidence, clinical features, prognostic factors, clinical behavior, and optimum treatment. A workshop sponsored by the College of American Pathologists and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommended four general categories for endocrine tumors of the uterine cervix: typical (classical) carcinoid tumor, atypical carcinoid tumor, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small (oat) cell carcinoma.1 This chapter will concentrate on the small (oat) cell tumors of the cervix. Their incidence, morphologic and molecular markers, prognostic factors, and treatment will be reviewed. Histologically, small (oat) cell carcinomas are composed of small round or fusiform cells with scant cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei that grow in a diffuse manner or in nests, trabeculae, or cords (Figure 21.1). Although immunohistochemical stains are not required to make the diagnosis, the majority of these tumors stain positive for at least one of the common neuroendocrine markers (neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin, and synaptophysin) and this is often used to aid in the classification.2