Metastatic neuroendocrine tumor of soft tissue: a case report

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Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are relatively rare tumors arising from neural crest cells, mainly in the gastrointestinal tract and lung. Soft-tissue NETs have been occasionally reported in the literature. To our knowledge, we report the first case in the Middle East and the sixth case in the literature of a metastatic NET arising in the thigh. An Egyptian lady in the sixth decade of life came to our hospital with a NET in the thigh, metastatic in both the lung and the iliac region. Staged resection of the primary tumor followed by the nodal metastasis was done after a short period of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and Sandostatin. Diagnosis of these cases is difficult and no studies addressing their management are available. Our approach, pathological findings, and prognosis are discussed in comparison with previously registered cases worldwide. Surgical oncologists should bear in mind that NETs may occur in soft tissue and that surgical treatment is the only known effective treatment.

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