Auto-discovered from 2 recent studies; not yet curated.
Case reportMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Radiology case reports · Mar 2025 · case report
This is a single-patient case report of extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver in a 52-year-old woman. The patient received systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide combined with durvalumab, had clinical improvement of symptoms, but died 10 months after starting chemoimmunotherapy. The authors note that optimal treatment for EPSCC is generally extrapolated from small cell lung cancer and that there is insufficient evidence to routinely recommend immunotherapy in this group.
Reported effects: tumor_dimensions, n=1 · time_to_death_after_starting_chemoimmunotherapy 10 mo, n=1
Studied with: carboplatin, etoposide, carboplatin + etoposide.
Key findings
- Diagnosis of EPSCC of the liver was made after biopsy and immunohistochemistry (positive for CKA1/A3, chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD56 and TTF-1).
- Abdominal MRI showed an enlarged liver secondary to a mass affecting segments IV, V, VI, VII and VIII of 16.9 × 9.4 cm.
- Systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide plus durvalumab was started.
- There was clinical improvement of the symptoms after starting treatment.
- The patient died 10 months after starting chemoimmunotherapy treatment.
- Authors state that optimal treatment of EPSCC is generally extrapolated from small cell lung cancer and there is insufficient evidence to routinely recommend immunotherapy for EPSCC.
Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1), so findings are not generalizable.; No control or comparator group to assess treatment effect.; No dosing, schedule, or detailed treatment toxicity information provided.; Cannot establish causality or efficacy from a single observational case.; EPSCC is rare and treatment recommendations are extrapolated from small cell lung cancer, limiting direct applicability..
This report describes use of carboplatin + etoposide chemotherapy combined with durvalumab in a patient with extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Case reportReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Diagnostic pathology · Sep 2023 · case report and literature review
This is a case report of a 34-year-old woman with a mixed germ cell tumor of the fallopian tube that included high-grade rhabdomyosarcoma components. She underwent extensive surgical resection followed by three cycles of BEP chemotherapy and one cycle of EP; at regular follow-up her tumor markers and imaging were normal and tumor-free survival reached 24 months.
Reported effect: tumor_free_survival 24 mo, n=1
Studied with: BEP (Bleomycin + Etoposide + Cisplatin), EP (Etoposide + Cisplatin).
Key findings
- Patient: 34-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain.
- Surgery performed: transabdominal resection of large left tubal masses, pelvic lymph node dissection, abdominal paraaortic lymph node dissection, right ovarian cyst excision, greater omentectomy, and multipoint peritoneal biopsy.
- Pathology: hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining used to characterize the tumor (mixed germ cell tumor with high-grade rhabdomyosarcoma component).
- Adjuvant chemotherapy: 3 cycles of BEP (Bleomycin + Etoposide + Cisplatin) and 1 cycle of EP (Etoposide + Cisplatin).
- Outcome: regular follow-up showed normal tumor markers and imaging, with tumor-free survival reaching 24 months.
Limitations: Single-patient case report — no control group and limited generalizability.; No dosing amounts/administration details for chemotherapy provided in the abstract.; Follow-up limited to 24 months as reported; longer-term outcomes beyond that are not reported in the abstract.; Outcomes from a single case cannot establish efficacy or safety of the treatment..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Case reportReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Brain sciences · Jul 2023 · case report
This is a single-patient case report of a 10-year-old boy with a primary intracranial sarcoma harboring DICER1 mutations and a KRAS mutation. He underwent urgent surgical debulking followed by chemotherapy (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide) and focal proton beam radiotherapy, after which the tumor showed a dramatic reduction and there was no radiographic evidence of residual disease at the primary site at the end of therapy.
Studied with: ifosfamide + carboplatin + etoposide chemotherapy, focal proton beam radiotherapy.
Key findings
- Patient presented with a large right frontal hemorrhagic lesion; urgent debulking showed a high-grade sarcomatous lesion.
- Molecular studies found compound heterozygous DICER1 variants (a frameshift insertion and a missense mutation) and a KRAS missense mutation; final diagnosis 'primary intracranial sarcoma, DICER1-mutant'.
- Germline testing identified a germline DICER1 variant; parental testing was negative (variant thought most likely de novo).
- Chemotherapy (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide) combined with focal proton beam radiotherapy precipitated a dramatic reduction in tumor size and there was no evidence of residual disease at the primary site at the end of therapy.
Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1), so findings are not generalizable.; No control or comparison group.; No dosing details or schedule for chemotherapy or radiotherapy provided in the abstract.; Follow-up duration and longer-term outcomes are not reported in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Case reportInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Cureus · Jun 2023 · case report
This is a single-patient case report of a 77-year-old man with prior prostate adenocarcinoma who developed extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the prostate. The patient did not improve with bicalutamide and leuprorelin, and clinicians administered carboplatin-etoposide chemotherapy with durvalumab based on treatments used for small cell lung cancer. The authors state that EPSCC of the prostate is aggressive, lacks established treatment protocols, and call for further research and clinical trials.
Studied with: bicalutamide + leuprorelin, carboplatin + etoposide, durvalumab (given with carboplatin-etoposide).
Key findings
- Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) in the prostate is an aggressive and rare malignancy with unfavorable survival outcomes (reported as a general statement).
- The reported patient did not show improvement after standard therapy with bicalutamide and leuprorelin.
- The treating team administered a carboplatin-etoposide chemotherapy regimen together with durvalumab, extrapolating from small cell lung cancer approaches.
- The authors highlight a lack of established treatment protocols for prostate EPSCC and the need for further research and clinical trials.
Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1), so findings are not generalizable.; Abstract does not report objective outcomes or follow-up after administration of carboplatin-etoposide plus durvalumab.; No control or comparator; observational description only.; No doses, treatment schedule, toxicity, or response metrics provided in the abstract.; Limited clinical detail (e.g., imaging, histology, biomarkers) provided in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 96
European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery · Jul 2022 · retrospective cohort with propensity score matching
Etoposidecombined large cell neuroendocrine carcinomalarge cell neuroendocrine carcinomaadenocarcinomasquamous cell carcinomalung neoplasms This retrospective study of 96 patients who underwent surgical resection for combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (C-LCNEC) compared tumors combined with adenocarcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma. There was no significant difference in disease-free or overall survival between the histologic subgroups, but adjuvant chemotherapy—particularly etoposide-based regimens—was associated with longer disease-free and overall survival in stage II–III patients. EGFR mutations were found in 28% (17/60) and ALK in 7% (4/60) of tested patients, and these tumors responded well to targeted therapy.
Reported effects: LCNEC/AD proportion 74%, n=96 · LCNEC/SCC proportion 26%, n=96 · +12 more
Studied with: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma.
Key findings
- In the cohort, 71 (74%) were LCNEC/AD and 25 (26%) were LCNEC/SCC.
- No significant difference in disease-free survival (before matching P = 0.79; after matching P = 0.87) or overall survival (before matching P = 0.85; after matching P = 0.48) between LCNEC/AD and LCNEC/SCC.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy was an independent predictor (P = 0.019 for one endpoint and P = 0.043 for another, as reported).
- Stage II–III C-LCNEC patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had longer disease-free survival (P = 0.054) and overall survival (P = 0.025).
- The benefit of etoposide-based chemotherapy exceeded that of other regimens (P = 0.010 and P = 0.030).
- EGFR and ALK mutations were present in 28% (17/60) and 7% (4/60) of tested C-LCNEC patients, respectively, and responded well to targeted therapy.
Limitations: Retrospective observational design; Relatively small sample size (n = 96); Non-randomized comparison of adjuvant therapy regimens; Potential for residual confounding despite propensity score matching; Abstract does not report follow-up duration or details of centers (possible limited generalizability).
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
Frontiers in oncology · Aug 2021 · Literature review (PubMed search for "Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma" and "High grade neuroendocrine carcinoma")
Etoposidelarge cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC)pulmonary LCNECextra-pulmonary LCNECgastrointestinal LCNEC This is a literature review summarizing current management strategies for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). The authors report that in advanced LCNEC platinum-based chemotherapy combined with etoposide or irinotecan remains commonly used first-line, while extra-thoracic LCNEC may be treated with regimens such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI or CAPTEM. They highlight recent advances in molecular classification of LCNEC and note that immunotherapy agents are an emerging area that may guide future treatments.
Studied with: etoposide, irinotecan, FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, CAPTEM.
Key findings
- LCNEC is a rare, aggressive neoplasm most commonly occurring in the lung and gastrointestinal tract.
- The review summarizes data-driven best practices for management of both early and advanced stage LCNEC.
- In advanced disease, platinum-based therapy combined with etoposide or irinotecan remains among commonly used first-line therapies.
- For extra-thoracic LCNEC, regimens such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI and CAPTEM are also used.
- Recent advances in understanding genetic subcategories and the use of immunotherapy agents may guide future treatments.
Limitations: This is a review article and does not present new primary patient- or experimental-level data.; Selection of papers was based on relevance and the methods do not describe systematic inclusion/exclusion criteria, introducing potential selection bias.; Rarity and heterogeneity of LCNEC limit the available evidence and generalizability of recommendations.; The abstract reports no quantitative outcome data or pooled effect estimates..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 8
Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics · Mar 2016 · retrospective multicenter review
This retrospective review (two Canadian centers, 1995–2012) describes 8 children with primary intracranial (cerebral hemisphere) sarcoma who received surgery when possible, focal radiotherapy (54–60 Gy) with concomitant etoposide, and ICE chemotherapy given before and after radiotherapy (6–8 cycles). Gross-total resection was achieved in 5 patients. Seven of the 8 included patients were alive at a median of 4.9 years (range 1.9–17.9) after treatment. The report also notes that many hemisphere tumors presented with acute intratumoral hemorrhage and that 3 of 8 patients had neurofibromatosis Type 1.
Reported effects: patients_identified 14 · hemisphere_tumors 9 · +10 more
Studied with: focal radiation therapy, surgery (gross-total resection).
Key findings
- Fourteen patients with nonmetastatic primary CNS sarcoma were identified; in 9 patients, tumors were located in the cerebral hemisphere and 7 of these patients presented with intratumoral hemorrhage.
- One infant who died postoperatively before receiving adjuvant therapy was excluded; final cohort included 8 patients (4 males).
- Median patient age at diagnosis was 11.8 years (range 5.8–17 years).
- Duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis had a median of 2 days (range 3–7 days) in most patients.
- Three (37.5%) patients had neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).
- Gross-total resection was achieved in 5 patients.
- Focal radiation therapy dose ranged between 54 Gy and 60 Gy; concomitant etoposide was given during RT.
- ICE (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide) chemotherapy was given before and after RT for a total of 6–8 cycles.
- Seven of the 8 patients were alive at a median time of 4.9 years (range 1.9–17.9 years) after treatment.
Limitations: Retrospective design; Very small sample size (final n = 8); No control or comparator group; Selected cohort (one infant who died before adjuvant therapy was excluded); Limited generalizability (two centers, single-country series); Heterogeneous prior management and limited detail on chemotherapy dosing beyond cycle counts.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Case reportReported negativeLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre · Jan 2008 · case_report
CisplatinEtoposideprostate small cell carcinomaprostate adenocarcinoma (component)skin metastasis (scrotal) This is a case report of a 60-year-old man diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the prostate (with adenocarcinoma component) who received combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide and bilateral orchiectomy. Disease progressed after six cycles, he did not respond to salvage therapy, and later developed scrotal skin papillary lesions that on biopsy were metastatic small cell carcinoma. The authors note that prostate small cell carcinoma is aggressive with high metastatic potential but skin metastases are uncommon and prognosis is poor despite therapy.
Studied with: bilateral orchiectomy.
Key findings
- Needle biopsy showed both small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
- Patient was treated with combination chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide) and bilateral orchiectomy.
- After six cycles of chemotherapy, disease progressed and the patient did not respond to salvage therapy; palliative care was instituted.
- During follow-up, papillary lesions on scrotal skin were biopsied and shown to be metastatic small cell carcinoma.
- Authors state small cell carcinoma of the prostate is aggressive with high metastatic potential and poor prognosis; skin metastases are very uncommon.
Limitations: Single-patient case report; findings not generalizable.; No control or comparator.; No chemotherapy dosing or detailed treatment timelines provided.; Limited clinical detail and follow-up reported.; Cannot determine treatment efficacy from a single case and no quantitative outcomes reported..
Reports clinical course and an uncommon site of metastasis (skin) in prostate small cell carcinoma, relevant to clinicians encountering aggressive prostatic neuroendocrine tumors.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Evidence at a glance: Etoposide by cancer
A deterministic grade of what published studies report for each: strength of evidence, the reported direction, and the largest credible effect, strongest-evidence first. This summarizes findings; it is not a claim that anything works.
Extra-pulmonary LCNEC○Insufficient evidence◆Mixed results
No primary experimental studies yet.
Most authoritative study: Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
No human studies yet · No numeric effect sizes reported · Based on a single study.
Gastrointestinal LCNEC○Insufficient evidence◆Mixed results
No primary experimental studies yet.
Most authoritative study: Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
No human studies yet · No numeric effect sizes reported · Based on a single study.
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC)○Insufficient evidence◆Mixed results
No primary experimental studies yet.
Most authoritative study: Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
No human studies yet · No numeric effect sizes reported · Based on a single study.
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