Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC)

What is a neuroendocrine carcinoma?

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a type of cancer made up of specialized neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine carcinoma can be found almost anywhere in the body. Other names for this type of cancer are poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN).

What are neuroendocrine cells?

Neuroendocrine cells are a specialized type of cell that are found throughout the body. Neuroendocrine cells produce chemicals called hormones that act as a signal to influence the function of nearby cells.

Is a neuroendocrine carcinoma benign or malignant?

Neuroendocrine carcinoma is a malignant (cancerous) type of tumour.

Where in the body are neuroendocrine carcinomas commonly located?

Neuroendocrine carcinomas are commonly found in the pancreas, lungs, small intestine, large intestine (colon), skin, and reproductive organs.

How are neuroendocrine carcinomas classified?

Neuroendocrine carcinomas are divided into two groups: small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is made up of relatively small cells with hyperchromatic (dark) nuclei and very little cytoplasm (cell body). In contrast, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is made up of much larger cells with open nuclei that contain large clumps of genetic material called nucleoli.

What does metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma mean?

The term metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma is used to describe cancer cells that have traveled from the place where the tumour started (the primary tumour) to another part of the body such as a lymph node, the lungs, the liver, or a bone.