Small-Cell Neuroendocrine Cervical Carcinoma Mimicking a Polyp in a 20-Year-Old Patient With a Five-Year Follow-Up: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT

Small-cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (NECC) is a rare histology, and diagnosis and treatment of this condition are challenging because of its rarity, non-specific abdominopelvic symptoms, and less favorable prognosis compared to other cervical cancers. Here, we present a case of a 20-year-old patient diagnosed with small-cell NECC, defined within a cervical polyp, initially mimicking a benign lesion. Because of the difficulty in diagnosis, the patient underwent thorough diagnostics and interventions, including imaging, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Initially, the patient underwent a distinctive treatment plan encompassing four cycles of cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy with minimal side effects. Subsequently, she received comprehensive surgical interventions, including hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy, and bilateral salpingectomy. Ovarian preservation, justified by the patient's youth and small cervical lesions (<4 cm) without parametrial disease or metastatic signs, was pursued. For long-term outcomes, the patient demonstrated no metastasis or recurrence during a five-year follow-up. This case emphasizes the requirement for strengthened awareness of neuroendocrine tumors in cervical masses, particularly in young patients, and the importance of individualized treatment approaches for optimal clinical outcomes. Continued documentation of such cases increases our understanding of managing infrequent cervical malignancies.