Recent advances and current controversies in lung neuroendocrine neoplasms✰

Abstract

In the lung, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), namely typical and atypical carcinoids, and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), grouping small cell carcinoma (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), make up for distinct tumor entities according to epidemiological, genetic, pathologic and clinical data. The proper classification is essential in clinical practice for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy purposes. Through an extensive literature survey, three perspectives on lung NENs have been revised: i) criteria and terminology on biopsy or cytology samples of primaries or metastases; ii) carcinoids with elevated mitotic counts and/or Ki-67 proliferation rates; iii) relevance of molecular landscape to identify new tumor entities and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, a dispute about lung NEN development has been raised according to emerging molecular models. We herein provide a pathology update on practical topics in the setting of lung NENs according to the current classification (recent advances). We have also reappraised the development of these tumors by modeling risk factors and natural history of disease (recent controversies). Combining recent advances and controversies may help clarify our biological understanding of lung NENs and give practical information for the clinical decision-making process.

Keywords: Carcinoid; Carcinoma; Lung; Molecular; Neuroendocrine; Progression; Stem cell.