A Case of Small Cell Carcinoma in Tonsil with Aggressive Systemic Metastasis

Small cell carcinoma is a highly malignant tumor that is most commonly of bronchogenic origin and well recognized for its aggressive clinical behavior. Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma is rare, accounting for 2-5% of all small cell carcinomas, and the head and neck origin of small cell carcinoma is especially uncommon. Small cell carcinomas arising in the head and neck have been reported to date in larynx, salivary glands, palate, base of tongue, sinonasal tract, and tonsil. Only a few cases of small cell carcinoma of the tonsil have been reported worldwide, and it is the first case to be reported here in Korea. With the report of this case, we suggest that systemic chemotherapy should be considered for all patients with small cell carcinoma in tonsil because of its high incidence of extensive local invasion and metastasis. (Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2008;51:825-8)