NEuROENdOcRINE tumOuRS Of thE chESt AREA

Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are a various and interesting group of neoplasms considering their common origin, localisation in different organs and ability to secrete hormones, bioactive amines and peptides. This tumours originate from neurosecretive cells (enterochromaffinocytes) termed Kulchitsky cells, that underwent neoplastic transformation. Cells that, during embryogenesis, evolve from neuroectoderm of foregut and localise mainly in the upper part of alimentary system and pancreas, give rise to the diffused neuroendocrine system of the digestive tract termed APUD (amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation). Some of them migrate to lungs and other organs such as: suprarenal glands, thyroid gland, thymus, uterine tubes, vagina, uterus (tab. 1). The enterochromaffinocytes characterise themselves with pale cytoplasm and affinity to silver salts in cytopathological tests. They show expression of antigens found in cells of nervous system such as: chromoPOLSKI PRZEGLĄD CHIRURGICZNY 10.2478/v10035-010-0016-y 2010, 82, 2, 101–111