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Small cell carcinoma is a type of carcinoma usually associated with the lung, though it can be associated with other topographies, such as in cervical cancer.
When associated with the lung, it is sometimes called "oat cell carcinoma" due to the flat cell shape and scanty cytoplasm. It is thought to originate from neuroendocrine cells (APUD cells) in the bronchus called Feyrter cells, and often leads to ectopic production of hormones ADH and ACTH. It is the most widely metastatic of all tumors (and henced staged differently) and is sometimes seen in combination with squamous cell carcinomas. Smoking is a significant etiological factor. Symptoms and signs are as for other lung cancers.
In the prostate, small cell carcinoma is a rare form of cancer. Due to the fact that there is little variation in prostate specific antigen levels, this form of cancer is normally diagnosed at an advanced stage.
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