Colonic large-cell neuroendocrine tumours.

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare neoplasms originating from the neuroendocrine system. They are classified into 3 different subtypes: well-differentiated NETs (carcinoid), well-differentiated endocrine carcinomas (malignant carcinoid) and poorly differentiated endocrine carcinomas (small-cell carcinomas).1,2 The large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma has recently been introduced3 and has been described in different locations, including the cervix, larynx, gallbladder, bladder, soft tissues and the ampulla of Vater. We report the case of a patient with an advanced cecal large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and present a literature review to focus the attention of surgeons and oncologists on this rare but peculiar type of colon cancer.