Endometrial Neuroendocrine Carcinoma With Widespread Metastases: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Rare Malignancy.
Endometrial neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare, aggressive malignancies with early metastatic potential and poor prognosis.
APA
Aswani A, Akinyooye OA, et al. (2026). Endometrial Neuroendocrine Carcinoma With Widespread Metastases: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Rare Malignancy.. Cureus, 18(3), e105406. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.105406
MLA
Aswani A, et al.. "Endometrial Neuroendocrine Carcinoma With Widespread Metastases: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Rare Malignancy.." Cureus, vol. 18, no. 3, 2026, pp. e105406.
PMID
42005107
Abstract
Endometrial neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare, aggressive malignancies with early metastatic potential and poor prognosis. We present the case of a 54-year-old woman who presented with thoracic back pain and lower extremity paresthesia. Imaging revealed a T1 compression fracture, additional spinal metastases, liver and lung lesions, a thickened endometrium, and a left adnexal mass. Tumor markers, including CA-125, CA 19-9, and CEA, were markedly elevated. Thoracic spine MRI confirmed spinal stenosis and metastatic involvement. She underwent urgent T1 laminectomy with C5-T3 fusion, followed by systemic therapy with carboplatin/paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab, and later transitioned to carboplatin/etoposide. Treatment was complicated by infection and chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, and she received palliative spinal radiation for symptom control. Histopathology confirmed small-cell NEC with squamous differentiation; expert review favored a poorly differentiated/dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma with neuroendocrine and squamoid features. This case illustrates an atypical initial presentation with neurologic deficits from spinal metastases, emphasizing the need for prompt recognition and multidisciplinary management.