SMALL CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK-THE CANCER INSTITUTE (WIA) EXPERIENCE

Abstract

To analyze retrospectively the outcome in patients with small cell neuroendocrine
carcinoma of head and neck at cancer institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS-A total of 12 patients
had reported with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of head and neck to our institute from the year
2000 to 2010. Of these 12 patients had tumor in 3 paranasal sinus, 1 patient in nasal cavity, 3
patients in nasaopharynx,1 patient in retromolar trigone,1 in larynx, 1 in floor of mouth, 2 in salivary
gland. Radiotherapy was given to all patients either with curative intent or palliative intent with or
without chemotherapy. 8 out of 12 patients were treated with curative intent and four patients treated
with palliative intent in view of upfront bone metastasis.RESULTS-Of the 12 patients, 8 had died after
the median follow up of 8 months. The four patients who were alive were followed for a median of
64.5months. Of 8 patients treated with curative intent, 7 patients received concurrent chemo radiation
and 1 patient received only radiotherapy followed by surgery. The 3 year disease free survival and 3
year overall survival of patients treated with curative intent were 37.5 and 50 respectively. Two
patients developed bone metastasis, two patients developed lung metastasis, 1 patient developed
liver and bone metastasis and all died within year of completion of treatment. All four patients treated
with palliative intent died within a year due to progression of metastasis