Abstract

NENs are a heterogeneous family of tumors of challenging diagnosis and clinical management. Their incidence and prevalence continue to rise across all sites, stages and grades. Although improved diagnostic techniques have led to earlier detection and stage migration, the improved prognosis documented over time for advanced gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors also reflect improvements in therapy. The aim of this guideline is to update practical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteropancreatic and lung NENs. Diagnostic procedures, histological classification and therapeutic options are briefly discussed, including surgery, liver-directed therapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and systemic hormonal, cytotoxic or targeted therapy, and treatment algorithms are provided.

Highlights

  • Diagnostic proceduresThe incidence of NENs has increased 6.4-fold over the past four decades, from 1.09 (1973) to 6.98 (2012) new cases per 100,000 inhabitants annually [1]

  • They are generally diagnosed in the fifth decade of life, and about 5% of them are associated with hereditary predisposition syndromes

  • We aim to provide synthetical and practical guidelines regarding diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options for the multidisciplinary management of NENs of GEP or lung origin

Read more

Summary

Diagnostic procedures

The incidence of NENs has increased 6.4-fold over the past four decades, from 1.09 (1973) to 6.98 (2012) new cases per 100,000 inhabitants annually [1]. About 20–25% of NENs are functioning tumors, that is, they are associated with a clinical syndrome due to excessive hormone production (carcinoid syndrome, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, etc.). This proportion is decreasing with time due to earlier diagnosis and improved symptomatic and antineoplastic therapy [3]. NENs are a complex, heterogenous family of tumors of challenging clinical management. A thoracic CT scan may be considered in poorly differentiated tumors, colon primaries or those in whom surgery of liver metastasis is being considered and is mandatory in lung NENs. I. Small randomized trials or large randomized trials with a suspicion of bias (lower methodological quality) or metaanalyses of such trials or of trials with demonstrated heterogeneity

Retrospective cohort studies or case–control studies
Findings
Compliance with ethical standards

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.