Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors found in skin or soft tissues usually represent metastasis from other organs and are considered late manifestations of disease. Therefore, primary cutaneous and soft tissue neuroendocrine tumors are extremely rare.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 48-year-old male with a neuroendocrine tumor occurring in the subcutaneous abdominal fat, which had an echographic appearance of a vascular malformation. The finding was diagnosed as compatible with neuroendocrine tumor based on histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. No other sites of possible internal origin were detected on supplementary investigations.

CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissue neuroendocrine tumors may have an appearance on imaging studies that challenge physicians to make a correct diagnosis. Despite the rarity of these tumors, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of other soft tissue masses.

Keywords: Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue, neuroendocrine tumors, Skin Neoplasms