A bibliometric analysis of research trends and global perspectives on lung large cell neuroendocrine cancer.

Background: Lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a malignant neoplasm derived from neuroendocrine cell precursors, accounting for only 1-3% of all lung cancer cases. This carcinoma is characterized by considerable invasiveness and heterogeneity, with a poor prognosis evidenced by a 5-year survival rate of less than 15%. This article aims to enhance thoracic surgeons' understanding of the current status, latest developments, and emerging trends in this field, in order to provide reference for future related research. Methods: We performed a systematic review of 694 articles sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database to evaluate global research trends in LCNEC from January 2000 to December 2024. Bibliometric analysis was conducted utilizing software tools including R Studio and CiteSpace 5.8 R5. This comprehensive, multi-dimensional analysis focused on key aspects such as researchers, institutions, countries, and the body of published literature. Results: The United States and Japan have assumed prominent leadership positions in research, whereas contributions from China and Europe are progressively expanding. Traditional pathological descriptions have evolved to become more comprehensive, with molecular subtyping and precision therapy emerging as focal points of current research. Conclusions: Future endeavors should prioritize strengthening global collaboration in this field and advancing prospective clinical trials. Furthermore, the advancement of multi-omics analysis and precision medicine holds significant potential to enhance the future treatment paradigm for LCNEC.