Case Report: Neuroendocrine-marker–negative high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma mimicking squamous cell carcinoma: an underrecognized diagnostic pitfall

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High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma can lack traditional neuroendocrine markers, complicating diagnosis and leading to potential misclassification as squamous cell carcinoma.
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Needle biopsies may miss neuroendocrine features, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis due to sampling bias and tumor heterogeneity.
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Gene expression profiling (GEP) can clarify lineage uncertainty in tumors with atypical morphology and negative immunohistochemistry results.
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The case study highlights the importance of integrating enhanced immunohistochemistry and molecular assays to prevent misdiagnosis of high-grade NEC.
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The patient responded well to platinum–etoposide therapy, demonstrating the significance of accurate classification for effective treatment.

Frontiers In Immunology

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