Small cell and neuroendocrine cancers of the cervix

Abstract

Neuroendocrine (NE) cell carcinomas of the cervix are uncommon and constitute 1-2% of cervix cancers. They were first identified in the 1970s [1] but major progress occurred after a consensus conference on the topic in 1997 [2]. This proposed a more formal classification. More recent experience has proposed a new WHO classification of NE cancers although this is not usually applied for cervical cancers [3, 4]. They constitute small cell cancers, large cell variants as well as typical and atypical carcinoids. This chapter will focus mainly on small cell cancers and their variants rather than carcinoids. Well differentiated NE cancers in the cervix are extremely rare and should be managed by teams experienced in managing neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Metastatic disease should be excluded before labelling as a primary carcinoid or NET of cervix. They are likely to behave like any other well differentiated NET and there is plenty of guidance available on this topic from UKINET and ENETS [5, 6]. However, small cell cancers and their variants are most typically managed by gynaecological cancer multidisciplinary teams, as they usually present with gynaecological symptoms. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.