A case of primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver

Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma is a highly malignant and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. The overall incidence in the United States is approximately 0.1~0.4%. Moreover, small cell carcinoma of the liver is extremely rare and few cases have been reported in the literature. We experienced a 65-year-old woman with a 15 cm hepatic mass, which was localized in the left lobe of a noncirrhotic liver. The mass was confirmed as small cell carcinoma by immunohistochemical staining of a biopsy specimen. Other possible primary sites were excluded by radiologic and endoscopic evaluations. The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy. She was in partial response on the last follow-up visit. (Korean J Med 79:67-71, 2010)