A case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma exhibiting rhabdoid features in the esophagogastric junction

Pathol Int. 2019 Aug;69(8):481-487. doi: 10.1111/pin.12807. Epub 2019 Jun 24.

Abstract

We report a case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with rhabdoid features in the esophagogastric junction. An 81-year-old man presented to Saku Central Hospital Advanced Care Center with a tumor in the esophagogastric junction. During upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, an ulcerative tumor, measuring 4 × 3 cm in diameter, was observed. Computed tomography revealed lymph node metastasis, but no metastasis to other organs was observed. A thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy was performed. Histopathologically, anaplastic large cells exhibited a solid growth pattern with focal and geographic necrosis. Approximately half of the tumor cells exhibited large nuclei with conspicuous nucleoli; an eosinophilic "rhabdoid" cytoplasmic inclusion; and a nucleus displaced eccentrically by the cytoplasmic inclusion body. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells, including rhabdoid cells, were focally positive for pan-cytokeratin and diffusely positive for vimentin and synaptophysin. Additionally, electron microscopy identified dense-core granules in the tumor cells. Therefore, a diagnosis of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with rhabdoid features was made. A few cases of esophageal neuroendocrine tumors with rhabdoid features have been reported in the lung and pancreas; however, this is the first report of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with rhabdoid features in the esophagogastric junction.

Keywords: esophagogastric junction; large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma; rhabdoid tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / pathology*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Esophagogastric Junction / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed / pathology*
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / diagnosis
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / pathology*