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Head and Neck Pathology
Published in: Head and Neck Pathology 1/2014

01-03-2014 | Case Report

Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Oropharynx Harbouring Oncogenic HPV-Infection

Authors: Timothy Bates, Andrew McQueen, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Charles Kelly, Max Robinson

Published in: Head and Neck Pathology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Small cell carcinoma/neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) of the oropharynx is uncommon. Recently, an association has been reported between oropharyngeal SCNEC and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. While HPV infection confers a better prognosis for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, HPV infection does not appear to influence the biological behaviour of SCNECs, which are generally associated with poor clinical outcomes. We document two cases of SCNEC arising in the oropharynx with evidence of high-risk HPV infection. The cases highlight the expanding range of malignant oropharyngeal neoplasms that harbour oncogenic HPV infection and support the concept that, irrespective of HPV infection, neuroendocrine differentiation portends a poor prognosis.
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Metadata
Title
Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Oropharynx Harbouring Oncogenic HPV-Infection
Authors
Timothy Bates
Andrew McQueen
Muhammad Shahid Iqbal
Charles Kelly
Max Robinson
Publication date
01-03-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Head and Neck Pathology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1936-0568
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-013-0471-y

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