Objective: Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck is rare and has unique histopathological characteristics that make it difficult to diagnose and treat. In this report, the Japanese Lung Cancer Treatment Guidelines were adapted to treat three patients with small cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and outcomes evaluated.
Methods: There was one case each of stage I small cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity, stage IV-B small cell carcinoma of the ethmoid sinus, and stage IV-A small cell carcinoma of the submandibular gland. All patients underwent chemoradiotherapy and achieved a partial response.
Results: Only case one underwent surgery after chemoradiotherapy; 31 months after treatment, this patient had suffered no recurrence. Case two died three months after treatment due to bone marrow metastasis. Case three had experienced no progression after 12 months of follow up.
Conclusion: In this small patient series, short-term results were equivalent to or better than usual treatment outcomes for small cell carcinoma of the lung.