Introduction—Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are a complex group of lesions that arise in the lung and other organs, and they may challenge anatomic pathologists with a variety of diagnostic problems. The origin of these tumors has been controversial historically. Pulmonary carcinoid tumors are thought to be derived from neuroendocrine cells distributed throughout the airway epithelium. On the other hand, small-cell carcinoma and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma have an origin that seems more akin to that of non-neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung.
Source: Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Source Type: research