In general, the symptoms of neuroendocrine cancer do not appear to differ significantly from those of other types of cervical cancer [9]. Like other cancers of the uterine cervix, the symptoms of NEC of the cervix typically depend on the extent of the spread of disease (stage of disease). However, because of the aggressive nature of these tumors, patients more frequently have advanced disease at the time of initial diagnosis.
Similar to other cervical cancers, symptoms may include vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding including postcoital bleeding (bleeding after intercourse), and pelvic pain. More advanced disease can include symptoms of weight loss, abdominal bloating, or symptoms specific to metastatic disease (liver, adrenals, bone, bone marrow, and the brain) [10]. Occasionally, like neuroendocrine tumors of the lung, small cell cancer of the cervix can present with paraneoplastic syndromes affecting the endocrine (hormonal) and/or nervous systems such as hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels), neurologic disorders, Cushing’s syndrome, and SIADH [11].
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