Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of buccal mucosa: Innocuous but invasive

J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2022 Feb;26(Suppl 1):S91-S95. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_460_20. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Abstract

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) was first described in the 19th century which is usually seen in association with lung cancer and is very rare in the oral cavity. Here, we report one such case in a 39-year-old male patient who presented with swelling on the left middle third of the face for 6 months. This is the 12th SNEC of oral cavity case so far reported in the English literature and the third case to be present on buccal mucosa. It presented as a nodular swelling over the buccal mucosa and was clinically diagnosed as a traumatic fibroma. The histopathological sections showed diffuse sheets of round cells with granular chromatin. Immunohistochemical findings helped us arrive at a final diagnosis. SNECs are highly proliferative tumors characterized by early and widespread metastases through the vascular channels. Hence, the diagnosis and appropriate management of these lesions is important to decrease the morbidity and mortality rate.

Keywords: Lung carcinoma; small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma; traumatic fibroma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports