RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the clinical features of neuroendocrine lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the histopathology and clinical information of 21 patients diagnosed as having neuroendocrine lung cancer between 1995 and 1999. RESULTS: Nineteen cases were male and 2 were female. The median age was 64 years (range: 45~80). Pathologic classification were atypical carcinoid (AC) in 2 cases, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) in 7 cases, and intermediate cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (ICNC) in 12 cases. Nine patients received tumor resection as first line therapy; adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 3 patients. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy was given to 1 patient. Six patients received palliative chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimen included etoposide cisplatin in 5 cases and vinorelbine+cisplatin in 1 case. The median survival times were 11, 16 and 59 weeks for AC, LCNEC and ICNC, respectively. The estimated 2-year survival rates were AC 0%, LCNEC 22% and ICNC 31%. CONCLUSION: Surgery may have a positive effect on survival in patients with early stage cansers. Further investigation is required to improve survival in cases of advanced stage cancer.