Case Report of a Primary Parotid Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is quite rare in the salivary gland and is difficult to recognize with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Here, we present a case thought to be a lymphoma in FNAC but was diagnosed as LCNEC with the excision material. A 65-year old female patient was admitted with the complaint of a two-month old, rapidly growing painful mass in the right parotid region. FNAC was performed and it was reported as a malignant tumor, possibly lymphoma. A right superficial parotidectomy and right neck dissection were performed. The case was diagnosed as LCNEC of the parotid gland. The patient was given postoperative radiotherapy. No relapse and metastases were detected in the two-year follow-up of the patient.