ABSTRACT
Objective To analyse the clinical characteristics,therapeutic modalities and prognosis of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(LCNEC). Methods The clinical data of 14 patients with pulmonary LCNEC confirmed by surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Results No case was correctely diagnosed before surgery.The immunohistochemical amalysis of the specimens revealed the characters of endocrine carcinoma.Twelve cases received adjuvant chemotherapy of platinum agents,but recurrence or metastasis was found in 8 of them several months after surgery.The median survival time was 19 months.The 1-year,2-year and 3-year survival rate were 85.7%(12/14),21.4%(3/14) and not more than 14.3%(2/14),respectively.The statistical analysis showed that the stage,lymph node metastasis and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy may have impacts on the prognosis of pulmonary LCNEC. Conclusion Pulmonary LCNEC is a carcinoma with poor prognosis,high tendency of invasion and metastasis.The stage of disease,lymph node metastasis,and adjuvant chemotherapy may be related to the prognosis.