Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the cervix

Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the cervix are rare. They cover a wide age range occurring in young adult women and very old women. Two types are distinguished: small cell carcinoma (oat cell) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. They either occur in pure form or in combination with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. By immunohistochemistry, the expression of at least one neuroendocrine marker (chromogranin, synaptophysin, NSE) is a constant finding. PRb protein can not be detected, whereas the expression of p53 varies. Typically, there is an association with a high risk HPV infection. HPV 18 is found more often than HPV 16. The prognosis is still poor with early metastases to regional lymph nodes and distant sites such as lung, liver, bone, and brain. © Springer Medizin Verlag 2005.