A mass in the anal canal found to be poorly differentiated small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Abstract

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are malignancies most often found in the colon, lung, pancreas, or thyroid. We describe a rare case of an NEC found in the anal canal of a 68-year-old woman. We also explore a list of differential diagnoses that should be considered in a patient presenting with a rectal mass. Pathological slides with staining for chromogranin, synaptophysin and CDX2 confirm the diagnosis. We are hopeful that this patient is responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation as to allow for a sphincter preserving surgery to ultimately lead to a better quality of life.