Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) comprise a heterogeneous group of malignancies, with differences in prognosis and effective therapies. Traditionally, NETs have been characterized by tumor grade, site of primary tumor, functional status, and presence of underlying familial syndrome. However, increased feasibility and use of next-generation sequencing and other methodologies have revealed new genomic and epigenetic aberrations. In the past decade, treatment options available for metastatic well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic NETs have expanded, with the approval of antiangiogenic and mTOR-directed targeted therapies, and our armamentarium of active therapies is likely to further increase. Optimal surgical therapy both for nonfunctional and functional PNETs has become more personalized and strategic to optimize long-term quality of life time. Management of localized metastatic PNET has become a true multidisciplinary management opportunity that all treating physicians should use. Peptide receptor radioligand therapy is an emerging treatment that uses functional imaging to personalize dosimetry to the tumor and avoid nephrotoxicity. Nevertheless, there is a critical need for further biomarkers, particularly multianalyte biomarkers, to aid in prognostication and predict efficacy of therapies. This review contains 1 figure, 1 table, and 72 references. Key Words: carcinoid tumor, islet cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatic, surgical management, medical management, metastatic, localized.