Small cell carcinoma of the endometrium: a report of two cases

Abstract

Primary small cell carcinoma of the endometrium is rare and has an extremely poor prognosis. This report describes two cases of small cell carcinoma of the endometrium diagnosed as stage III. Case 1 was diagnosed as stage IIIc. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy. For a locally recurrent tumor, she received radiotherapy. She has been well with no evidence of disease for 4 years. Case 2 was diagnosed as stage IIIa. She underwent surgery. The tumor recurred soon after the surgery, and she died 33 days after the surgery. In the literature, the median survival reported for patients with stage III and IV is only 5 months. Case 1 is the 4th case showing long-term survival with advanced-stage disease. The optimal treatment for this rare tumor has not been established. Considering its rarity and variability, it is difficult to establish an evidence-based therapeutic regimen.