Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Approaching Small Neuroendocrine Tumors with Radiofrequency Ablation

In recent years, small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) have shown a dramatic increase in terms of incidence and prevalence, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one potential method to treat the disease in selected patients. As well as the heterogeneity of pNET histology, the studies reported in the literature on EUS-RFA procedures for pNETs are heterogeneous in terms of ablation settings (particularly ablation powers), radiological controls, and radiological indications. The aim of this review is to report the current reported experience in EUS-RFA of small pNETs to help formulate the procedure indications and ablation settings. Another aim is to evaluate the timing and the modality of the radiological surveillance after the ablation. Moreover, new studies on large-scale series are needed in terms of the safety and long-term oncological efficacy of RFA on these small lesions.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A review of serum biomarkers, staging, and management

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors with complicated treatment options that depend on pathological grading, clinical staging, and presence of symptoms related to hormonal secretion. With regard to diagnosis, remarkable advances have been made: Chromogranin A is recommended as a general marker for pNETs. But other new biomarker modalities, like circulating tumor cells, multiple transcript analysis, microRNA profile, and cytokines, should be clarified in future investigations before clinical application. Therefore, the currently available serum biomarkers are insufficient for diagnosis, but reasonably acceptable in evaluating the prognosis of and response to treatments during follow-up of pNETs. Surgical resection is still the only curative therapeutic option for localized pNETs. However, a debulking operation has also been proven to be effective for controlling the disease. As for drug therapy, steroids and somatostatin analogues are the first-line therapy for those with positive expression of somatostatin receptor, while everolimus and sunitinib represent important progress for the treatment of patients with advanced pNETs. Great progress has been achieved in the combination of systematic therapy with local control treatments. The optimal timing of local control intervention, planning of sequential therapies, and implementation of multidisciplinary care remain pending.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine-Needle Aspiration Diagnosis of Synchronous Primary Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and Effects on Staging and Resectability

Synchronous primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma, defined as the simultaneous presence of 2 or more newly identified and anatomically separate primary adenocarcinomas within the pancreas, is reported rarely. We compared endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings from patients with synchronous primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma and their effects on cancer staging and treatment. We performed a retrospective analysis of the EUS database at the Mayo Clinic, from September 2008 through May 2016, to collect EUS, CT, MRI, and clinical data from patients with synchronous primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma. EUS and separate fine-needle aspiration of both tumors detected synchronous primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 11 patients (70.9 ± 10.4 y; 64% men). Of the 22 cancers, CT (n = 9) and MRI (n = 2) detected 9 (41%) cancers; in only 2 patients did CT detect both cancers. EUS increased cancer stage for 7 of the 11 (64%) patients and changed the status from resectable to unresectable for 3 of the 9 (33%) patients, compared with CT or MRI. EUS findings altered the likely extent of surgical resection for 3 patients. Synchronous primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma is reported rarely and may be undetected by CT or MRI; this could account for the false presumption of early tumor recurrence, rather than actual residual second tumor, leading to incomplete resection.

Surgery management for sporadic small (≤2 cm), non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: a consensus statement by the Chinese Study Group for Neuroendocrine Tumors (CSNET)

The incidence of small (≤2 cm), non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-pNETs) increased in the last decades. Before making appropriate strategy for patients with NF-pNETs ≤2 cm, pathological confirmation is vital. Incidentally diagnosed, sporadic small NF-pNETs may bring aggressive behavior and poor prognosis, such as extrapancreatic extension, lymph nodal metastasis, distant metastasis and recurrence, even causing disease-related death. Understanding and formulating an appropriate strategy for the patients with sporadic small, non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have been controversial for some time. Although several studies have reported that patients with NF-pNETs ≤2 cm had less rate of malignant behavior compared with larger ones (>2 cm); and the surgery approach may leading to surgery-related pancreatic complications; but there is still a lack of level I evidence to convince surgeons to abandon all cases with sporadic small NF-pNETs. Based on an updated literature search and review, the members of the Chinese Study Group for Neuroendocrine Tumors (CSNET) from high-volume centers have reached a consensus on the issue of the management strategy for the sporadic small NF-pNETs. We recommend that, except for some selected patients with NF-pNETs <1 cm, incidentally discovered and unacceptable surgical risks, all others with NF-pNETs ≤2 cm should undergo tumor resection with lymph node dissection or at least lymph node sampling and careful postoperative surveillance.

Surgical Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a rare, heterogeneous group of neoplasms infamous for their endocrinopathies. Up to 90% of PNETs, however, are nonfunctional and are frequently detected incidentally on axial imaging during the evaluation of vague abdominal symptoms. Surgery remains the mainstay of therapy for patients diagnosed with both functional and nonfunctional PNETs. However, the multifaceted nature of PNETs challenges treatment decision making. In general, resection is recommended for patients with acceptable perioperative risk and amenable lesions.

Laparoscopic removal of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of uncinate process of pancreas

The pancreas is an extremely rare location for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). We present a case of a patient with a GIST located in the uncinate process of the pancreas that was treated successfully with a laparoscopic technique. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and scintigraphy suggested a neuroendocrine tumor. Due to the fact that the image suggested a neuroendocrine tumor with a diameter below 2 cm, the patient was qualified for a laparoscopic procedure of tumor enucleation. Postoperative care proceeded in accordance with the principles of the ERAS concept. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. He was discharged home on the second postoperative day. In the obtained histopathology result a GIST was found. During a 6-month observation, including control computed tomography examination, no signs of tumor progression were found. Despite the fact that stromal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract localized in the pancreas are very rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors of this organ.