Background: Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colorectum is a kind of malignant tumor composed of neuroendocrine cells, with a unique hormone synthesis and secretory function. In recent years, more and more attention is being paid to this kind of tumor, with its high malignant potential, poor differentiation, high invasiveness and early metastasis.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colorectum.
Material and methods: The clinical data on 49 patients treated for neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colorectum from January 1995 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed and relevant scientific literature was investigated.
Results: The study subjects included 34 males and 15 females, out of whom 27 patients underwent curative operations, while 18 underwent palliative resections and four others underwent biopsy. All 49 patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy after operation. Of the 45 resection samples, vascular invasion was found in 33 patients (73.3%) and regional lymph node metastasis was found in 35 patients (77.8%). All the patients were followed up for a period of 3 to 68 months. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 49.1%, 17.2% and 6.9%, respectively. The patients' survival time was related to the tumor stage, vascular invasion and surgery type (radical or not), but not related to age, gender, tumor size or tumor location.
Conclusions: Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon lacked specific clinical manifestations, but showed a high degree of malignancy and a poor prognosis. Tumour stage, vascular invasion and surgery type (radical or not) were important factors influencing the prognosis.
Keywords: clinical; colorectal neoplasms; neuroendocrine carcinoma; pathology; prognosis.