Small cell carcinoma of the pyriform sinus successfully treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy

BACKGROUND Primary small cell carcinomas (SCCs) are uncommon in extrapulmonary sites and account for only 2.5% to 5.0% of all SCCs. SCCs in the pyriform sinus are rare and there is little information regarding this disease, especially on therapeutics. Herein, we present a case of successfully treated SCC in the right pyriform sinus that occurred in a patient with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) that completely resolved 4 years prior. METHODS A 1.5 × 1.5-cm mass in the right pyriform sinus was detected on imaging studies in a 71-year-old male at a regular check-up visit after being in remission from SCLC. RESULTS Based on histologic examination and immunohistochemistry, the tumor in the right pyriform sinus was diagnosed as an extrapulmonary SCC. Chemo-radiotherapy was applied to the SCC of the pyriform sinus with a regimen of etoposide and cisplatin. The patient exhibited complete response to treatment and has been disease free for 11 months. CONCLUSION This interesting case shows that chemotherapy with concurrent radiation may be an effective therapeutic modality for localized extrapulmonary SCC similar to localized SCLC, which is treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy as the standard therapeutic option.