Pleomorph poorly differentiated endocrine carcinoma of the rectum

Virchows Arch. 2003 Jun;442(6):605-10. doi: 10.1007/s00428-003-0807-1. Epub 2003 May 7.

Abstract

We present a case of poorly differentiated endocrine carcinoma (PDEC) of the rectum identified immunohistochemically and characterized by a high degree of cellular pleomorphism, including bizarre giant cells. This case indicates that gastrointestinal PDECs are not restricted to small cell carcinomas. Among the multiple genes investigated, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the p53 locus without p53 immohistochemical accumulation, overexpression of c-kit and absent expression of p16 were seen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / secondary*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Giant Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Palliative Care
  • Rectal Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Rectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA, Neoplasm