Bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms (BP NENs) encompass a wide spectrum of pathologically and clinically distinct entities which include (well-differentiated) ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ NETs and Large and Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas (poorly differentiated). Together they make up around 20% of all cancers of the Lung and are the most common type of Neuroendocrine Neoplasm.
BP NETs comprise the well differentiated types of BP NENs
Typical NETs are predominantly centrally located. Metastases are unusual. but can appear late in the course of the disease. Atypical Lung NETs have sometimes been misinterpreted as “early oat cell carcinomas”. These tumors are most often peripheral and metastases are frequent. Lung neuroendocrine Carcinomas have an aggressive course and are poorly differentiated.
Some texts may include the term moderately differentiated in relation to atypical Lung NETs in line with lung cancer classification.
See also DIPNECH. See also Lung NET.