Primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm: Long-time surgical outcome and prognosis

Neuroendocrine Tumors of Unknown Primary in the Setting of Cytoreductive Hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Surgical cytoreduction for neuroendocrine tumor liver metastasis (NETLM) consistently shows positive long-term outcomes. Despite reservations in guidelines for surgery when the primary tumor is unidentified (UP-NET), this study compared the surgical and oncologic long-term outcomes between patients with these rare cases undergoing cytoreductive surgery and patients who had liver resection for known primaries.

METHODS

The study identified 32 unknown primary liver metastases (UP-NETLM) in 522 retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent resection of well-differentiated NETLM between January 2000 and December 2020. Tumor and patient characteristics were compared with those in 490 cases of liver metastasis from small intestinal (SI-NETLM) or pancreatic (pNETLM) primaries. Survival analysis was performed to highlight long-term outcome differences. Surgical outcomes were compared between liver resections alone and simultaneous primary resections to assess surgical risk distinctions.

RESULTS

The UP-NET patients had fewer NETLMs (p = 0.004), which on the average were larger than SI-NETLMs or pNETLMs (p = 0.002). Expression of Ki-67 was balanced among the groups. Major hepatectomy was performed more often in the UP-NETLM group (p = 0.017). The 10-year survival rate of 53% for UP-NETLM was comparable with that for SI-NETML (58%; p = 0.463) and pNETLMs (47%; p = 0.497). The median hepatic progression-free survival was 26 months for the UP-NETLM patients and 25 months for the SI-NETLM patients compared to 12 months for the pNETLM patients (p < 0.001). Perioperative mortality was lower than 2%, and severe postoperative morbidity occurred in 21%, similarly distributed among all the groups.

CONCLUSION

The surgical risk and long-term outcomes for the UP-NETLM patients were comparable with those for other NETLM cases, affirming the validity of equally aggressive surgical cytoreduction as a therapeutic option in carefully selected cases.

Recurrent primary hepatic VIPoma treated with a combination of surgical resection and loco-regional therapy

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) secreting tumors (VIPomas) are insidious functional neuroendocrine tumors originating mainly from pancreatic islet cells. Hepatic localization is considered exceedingly rare as only few cases have been reported in the literature. Diagnostic and therapeutic management of this tumor is still not clearly codified and therefore represents a real challenge for clinicians. Herein we report a unique case of a primary hepatic VIPoma recurrence in a female patient 22 years after curative resection. The patient had two sessions of transarterial chemoembolization. Complete symptomatic improvement was achieved since the first day after the first session. This case highlights that long-term follow-up for patients with hepatic VIPoma is mandatory as recurrence could occur several years after curative surgical treatment.

Molecular deciphering of primary liver neuroendocrine neoplasms confirms its distinct existence with foregut-like profile

Isolated hepatic localizations of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are generally considered as metastatic NETs of unknown primary but could correspond to primary hepatic NETs (PHNETs), a poorly explored entity. We aimed to describe the clinicopathological and molecular features of PHNETs and compare them with other primary NETs. We assembled a retrospective cohort of patients managed for hepatic localization of NET without extra-hepatic primary tumor after exhaustive clinical, imaging and immunohistochemical characterization. We performed whole-exome sequencing with mutational and copy number analysis. Transcriptomic profiles were compared to pancreatic (n=31), small-bowel (n=22) and lung (n=15) NETs using principal component analysis, unsupervised clustering and gene-set enrichment analysis. Among 27 screened patients, 16 had PHNET (solitary tumor in 63%, median size 11 cm, G2 NETs in 81%) following clinical and pathological review. DNA analyses showed "foregut-like" genomic profiles with frequent alterations in pathways of Fanconi DNA repair (75%), histone modifiers (58%), adherens junctions (58%) and cell cycle control (50%). The most frequently involved genes were KMT2A (58%), ATM (42%), CDH1, CDKN2C, FANCF and MEN1 (33% each). Transcriptomic analyses showed that PHNETs clustered closer to foregut (pancreatic, lung) NETs than to midgut (small-bowel) NETs, while remaining a distinct entity with specific profile. Assessment of potentially predictive biomarkers suggested efficacy of treatments usually active in foregut NETs. In conclusion, PHNETs display a foregut-like molecular profile distinct from other types of NETs, with recurrent molecular alterations. Upon exhaustive work-up to exclude unrecognized primary tumor, PHNETs should not be considered metastatic NETs from an unknown primary. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Arising at a Young Age: Rare Case Report and Literature Review

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are low-grade malignancies arising from neuroendocrine cells. Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs) are extremely rare and difficult to differentiate from other liver tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or cholangiocarcinoma. A 22-year-old male presented with intermittent abdominal pain. A preoperative imaging study revealed a 5.1cm-sized heterogeneously enhancing mass in S6 of the liver, suggesting HCC. Laparoscopic right hepatectomy was performed, and a well-demarcated brown solid mass was found. The pathology report revealed a neuroendocrine tumor of the liver. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed postoperatively to exclude extrahepatic lesions, and no lesions were found. This is a rare case of PHNET that developed at a young age and was misdiagnosed as HCC preoperatively. This suggests that PHNET should be considered one of the differential diagnoses when a non-specific enhanced hepatic tumor is found, even when the patient is young.

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumour with multiple liver metastases: A case report with literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

To describe an unusual case with a primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumour (PHNET) with multiple liver metastases.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported a 65-year-old woman with PHNET with multiple liver metastases. She was highly suspected of having primary liver cancer with multiple intrahepatic metastases before liver biopsy, but was diagnosed with PHNET with multiple liver metastases after histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) examinations. The patient successfully underwent three times of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and is currently living in a good state without related complications.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), also known as carcinoids or argyrophilic tumors, are very rare malignant tumors. The liver is the main metastasis site of NETs, but primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs) are extremely rare. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) examinations are still the main methods used for diagnosing NETs. There are no treatment guidelines for PHNETs, and surgical resection is generally the preferred treatment. For PHNET patients who are not suitable for surgery, TACE has been proven to be an effective alternative treatment that can effectively reduce the tumour burden and relieve symptoms, but the current evidence is still limited.

CONCLUSION

The clinical diagnosis of PHNET still faces great challenges, imaging examinations often lead to misdiagnosis, and its diagnosis mainly depends on histopathology and immunohistochemical examinations. For PHNET patients who are not suitable for surgery, TACE may be an effective alternative therapy.

Primary hepatic neoplasms arising in cirrhotic livers can have a variable spectrum of neuroendocrine differentiation

Primary hepatic neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation are extremely rare. Their clinicopathological features and molecular genetic basis are largely unknown. We identified four cases of primary hepatic neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation. Electronic medical records were reviewed for clinical history, imaging findings, laboratory results, and follow-up. Pathology slides, immunohistochemistry, and ancillary studies were reviewed. There were two females and two males with age ranging from 52 to 74 years. There was one amphicrine carcinoma with tumor cells simultaneously demonstrating both hepatocellular and neuroendocrine differentiation, one mixed hepatocellular-neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) with hepatocellular component intermingled with neuroendocrine component, one small cell NEC, and one well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Next- generation sequencing of the mixed hepatocellular-NEC and small cell NEC showed molecular/genetic alterations commonly seen in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All four cases arose in a background of cirrhosis. Primary hepatic neoplasms arising in cirrhotic livers can have a spectrum of neuroendocrine differentiation. Presence of a NEC component may be an indicator of aggressiveness. In addition, primary hepatic carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation likely share the same molecular pathways as HCC.

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor

SUMMARY

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (PHNET) is a rare type of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) that is also a primary hepatic tumor. Patients are present with almost no specific clinical symptoms and typically present with negative test results and atypical imaging characteristics; therefore, the differentiation of PHNET from other types of primary hepatic masses can be very difficult. In this article, we describe a case of PHNET that mimicked a liver helminth infection in a 57-year-old man. The diagnosis of PHNET in this patient was challenging, and the final diagnosis was based on imaging, histopathology features, and long-term follow-up.

LEARNING POINTS

An uncommon type of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is a primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (PHNET). Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors are rare NET lesions found in the liver, characterized by non-specific clinical and imaging results, which can be easily confused with other liver lesions, including HCC and parasitic lesions. To have a conclusive diagnosis and classification, a mixture of many medical assessment techniques, such as imaging, gastrointestinal endoscopy, nuclear medicine, anatomy, including histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, is essential.

Development of a nomogram model to predict survival outcomes in patients with primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors based on SEER database

Background

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PH-NETs) are extremely rare and unknown. Because of its rarity, its prognosis features and influencing factors are not well established.

Methods

Data of 140 patients with PH-NETs diagnosed in the SEER database from 1975 to 2016 were collected. The demographics and clinic-pathological features were described. By using propensity-score matching (PSM) analysis, three associated cohorts were selected to describe the malignancy of PH-NETs and univariate analysis was conducted. Then, multivariate Cox analyses were performed and a predicting nomograph was constructed. C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of nomogram.

Results

The overall survival outcomes of PH-NETs were superior to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a mean survival time 30.64 vs 25.11 months (p = 0.052), but inferior to gastrointestinal tract neuroendocrine tumors in situ (GI-NETs in situ) with a mean survival time 30.64 vs 41.62 months (p = 0.017). With reference to gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastasis (GI-NETs-LM), GI-NETs-LM had better outcomes in short time (1-year survival rate: 64.75% vs 56.43%) but was worse in long time (5-year survival rate: 8. 63% vs 18.57%). Multivariate Cox analyses showed that tumor grade and surgery were two independent factors for prognosis of the patients (p < 0.00). Tumor grade and surgery were used to construct the predicting nomogram. The C-index was 0.79 (95%CI = 0.75–0.83). The area under curve (AUC) values in ROC were 0.868 in 1-year and 0.917 in 3-year survival and the calibration curves showed good consistency.

Conclusions

The overall prognosis PH-NETs is generally favorable, better than HCC and GI-NETs-LM in long term. Preoperative biopsy and complete pathological diagnosis were recommended. Radical surgical intervention including transplantation was the first choice in PH-NETs therapy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08337-y.

A case of laparoscopic hepatectomy for a primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) account for approximately 1-2% of all gastrointestinal tumors. In particular, primary hepatic NETs (PHNETs) are extremely rare. A 42-year-old female patient was given a diagnosis of liver tumor after a medical check-up with ultrasonography. An enhanced CT scan and MRI were suggestive for a hepatic hemangioma or adenoma, but the possibility of hepatocellular carcinoma could not be denied. Moreover, this tumor grew larger, so we performed a laparoscopic partial hepatectomy for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor cells were spindle-shaped, forming glandular-tubular structures, and had less visible nucleoli and increased mitotic figures on H&E staining. Immunohistochemical findings indicated that CK19, MOC-31, CD56, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A were positive; CK7, AFP, and glypican-3 were negative; and the Ki-67 index was 3.6%, so the final diagnosis was a PHNET G2. PHNETs differ from other NETs, as they do not produce biologically active polypeptides or amines. As a result, there are no manifestations of carcinoid syndrome. In addition, PHNETs grow slowly, and most patients show no symptoms in the early stages. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a very useful procedure for diagnosis and treatment in such cases and can be performed safely.

Effects of tumor origins and therapeutic options on the prognosis of hepatic neuroendocrine tumors: A retrospective study

Hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (HNETs) are uncommon neoplasms that can be subdivided into 2 types: primary and metastatic HNETs. Due to its rarity, heterogeneity and complexity, the diagnosis, treatment modalities and prognosis are still controversial.This retrospective study reviewed the effects of tumor origins and therapeutic options on the prognosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastasis (GEP-NETLM) and primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs), providing additional evidence for clinicians evaluating patients.HNETs consisted of PHNETs and GEP-NETLM. GEP-NETLM (76.2%, 112/147) was more common, which was mainly manifested as multiple lesions in both lobes of the liver. PHNETs were relatively rare (23.8%, 35/147) and were mainly single lesion located in the right lobe of the liver. In patients with GEP-NETLM, primary tumor resection could prolong survival (P = .044). As the most widely used treatment method, systematic therapy alone could not achieve a satisfactory survival. However, the combination with hepatectomy or liver-directed therapy improved the prognosis (P = .023). As the main treatment, patients with PHNETs treated with local therapy could achieve a better prognosis (P = .049). Compared with PHNETs patients, GEP-NETLM patients with higher ki-67 index showed higher mortality and poorer prognosis (P = .006).Therefore, patients with PHNETs can be distinguished from GEP-NETLM by comprehensive imaging examinations and long-term follow-ups. The choice of appropriate treatment strategies can improve the prognosis of HNETs patients.

Unusual Primary Neoplasms of the Adult Liver: Review of Imaging Appearances and Differential Diagnosis

The radiological appearance of common primary hepatic tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is widely recognized. Hepatic masses with unusual histology are occasionally encountered, but seldom suspected on imaging. However, many possess characteristic imaging findings, which when assessed along with the clinical and demographic background and serum tumor markers, may enable a prospective diagnosis. This review attempts to familiarize the reader with the clinicopathological characteristics, imaging manifestations, and differential diagnosis of these unusual liver tumors in adults. Biphenotypic primary liver carcinoma is suspected in masses showing distinct areas of HCC and CCA-type enhancement pattern in cirrhotic livers. Fibrolamellar carcinoma occurs in young individuals without underlying chronic liver disease and shows a characteristic T2-hypointense scar frequently showing calcification. Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors are differentials for any arterial hyperenhancing mass in the noncirrhotic liver, particularly in patients with tuberous sclerosis. Multifocal subcapsular tumors showing target-like morphology, capsular retraction and "lollipop" sign are suspicious for epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. On the other hand, multiple hemorrhagic lesions showing patchy areas of bizarre-shaped arterial phase hyperenhancement are suspicious for angiosarcoma. Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is suspected when patients with immunosuppression present with solitary or multifocal masses that insinuate around vessels and bile ducts without causing luminal narrowing. Intense diffusion restriction and low-level homogeneous or target-like enhancement are also ancillary features of PHL. Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor shows uptake on Ga-68 DOTANOC PET/CT. Although a straightforward diagnosis may be difficult in these cases, awareness of the characteristic imaging appearances is helpful in suspecting the diagnosis.

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumour masquerading as a giant haemangioma: an unusual presentation of a rare disease

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumour is an exceedingly rare entity. We hereby delineate the case of a 45-year-old Balti descent woman who hails from a land-locked village situated in the foothills of the Pakistani Himalayas. The patient presented to our medical centre with a hepatic mass. She underwent extensive diagnostic workup. The consistent findings of an abdominal CT scan, coupled with her clinical history, insinuated a preoperative diagnosis of atypical hepatic haemangioma. After a detailed discussion in a multidisciplinary meeting, a standard right hemihepatectomy was performed. She had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged in stable condition after 1 week. Surprisingly, pathological examination and immunohistochemistry of the resected specimen divulged the diagnosis of a grade II primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumour. Her somatostatin-receptor scintigraphy and Gallium-68 DOTATATE positron emission tomography scan excluded residual hepatic or additional body lesions. Regular follow-ups over the past 4 years demonstrated unremarkable radiological findings with no recurrence to date.

A case of primary hepatic mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine tumor (MiNEN) associated with gallbladder carcinosarcoma

A woman in her seventies visited our hospital because of abdominal pain. Multiple hepatic tumors were detected and a liver biopsy revealed mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN), which was composed of cholangiocellular carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Diagnostic imaging ruled out primary malignancies other than the liver and identified that the tumor originated from the liver. Because a predominant and aggressive part of the tumor was considered to be cholangiocellular carcinoma, gemcitabine and S-1 were used as first-line treatment. After the treatment, octreotide acetate was administered for the NET component, followed by transcatheter arterial embolization. Subsequently, her gallbladder (GB) rapidly swelled with biliary tract obstruction, and cholecystectomy revealed carcinosarcoma of the GB. She is still undergoing treatment at 44 months after diagnosis. Herein we report this case of primary hepatic MiNEN consisting of cholangiocarcinoma and NET, followed by GB carcinosarcoma. This is the first case illustrating that a multidisciplinary treatment approach for MiNEN accompanied with carcinosarcoma, involving assessment and treatment targeting the most aggressive component, can result in a long survival time.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (PHNET) is a rare primary liver tumor that remains poorly understood. Here, we explored the clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes of PHNET patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS PHNET patients diagnosed between 1988 and 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were enrolled in the cohort. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine the survival outcomes. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to identify the risk factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS A total of 291 PHNET patients from the SEER database met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The majority of the patients were female (53.6%), white (77.7%), and married (49.5%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS were 57.1%, 39.4%, and 30.2%, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year DSS rates were 61.3%, 44.3%, and 36.7%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression models showed that older age, unmarried status, poor differentiated grade, and no tumor-directed surgery were independent risk factors for poor OS and DSS. CONCLUSIONS Older age, unmarried status, poor differentiated grade, and no tumor-directed surgery were associated with poorer prognosis of PHNET. Surgical resection is an effective and reliable treatment method for patients with PHNET.

Primary neuroendocrine tumor of liver: An eye opener for a pathologist

Introduction:

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are neoplasms that arise from cells of the endocrine (hormonal) and nervous systems. Many are benign, while some are malignant. They most commonly occur in the intestine. While the liver is a common site of metastases.

Case Presentation:

We describe a 73-year-old female who reported to our center with complains of swelling and pain in the right upper quadrant of stomach. CECT revealed large well-localized multicystic mass in the right lobe of the liver. A suspicion of hydatid cyst was given. However, immunogenic tests results were negative for hydatid cyst. The AFP level was also unremarkable.

Conclusion:

Histopathological examination with immunohistochemical panel along with other serological and radiological investigations made the diagnosis possible due to its vague clinical presentation.

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report and literature review

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Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms, with less than 200 cases reported.

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The clinical presentation of PHNETs is non-specific and its radiologic features are intensely diversified.

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Surgical resection with clear margins is the mainstay treatment for PHNETs, with very positive results.

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For unresectable tumors, liver transplantation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization are the main options.

Introduction

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs) are extremely rare, having less than 200 cases reported in the literature.

Presentation of case

A 51-year-old woman presenting with mild intensity sharp pain in the upper abdomen that started 4 years ago. Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suggested hepatocellular adenoma. Surgical exploration found a tumor occupying the whole segment IV of the liver, therefore a left hepatectomy was performed. Pathology and immunohistochemistry indicated to be a low-grade neuroendocrine tumor of the liver. The patient is enjoying a good quality of life, free of disease, presenting no signs of recurrence nor metastases 12 months after the procedure.

Conclusion

The clinical presentation of PHNETs is non-specific and its radiologic features are intensely diversified, frequently leading to misdiagnosis of other hepatic neoplasms.

Survival comparison between primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and primary pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and the analysis on prognosis-related factors

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PHNENs) are extremely rare and few articles have compared the prognosis of PHNENs with other neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). This study aimed to investigate the different prognosis between PHNENs and pancreatic NEN (PanNENs) and evaluate the relevant prognosis-related factors.

METHODS

From January 2012 to October 2016, a total of 44 NENs patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the primary tumor location which were named group PHNENs (liver; n = 12) and group PanNENs (pancreas; n = 32). Demographic, clinical characteristics and survival data were compared between the two groups with Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests. Prognostic factors were analyzed using the Cox regression model.

RESULTS

The overall survival of group PHNENs and group PanNENs were 25.4 ± 6.7 months and 39.8 ± 3.7 months, respectively (P = 0.037). The cumulative survival of group PanNENs was significantly higher than that of group PHNENs (P = 0.029). Univariate analysis revealed that sex, albumin, total bilirubin, total bile acid, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, α-fetoprotein and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, histological types, treatments and primary tumor site were the prognostic factors. Further multivariate analysis indicated that albumin (P = 0.008), histological types NEC (P = 0.035) and treatments (P = 0.005) were the independent prognostic factors. Based on the histological types, the cumulative survival of patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor was significant higher than that of patients with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma in group PHNENs (P = 0.022), but not in group PanNENs (P > 0.05). According to the different treatments, patients who received surgery had significantly higher cumulative survival than those with conservative treatment in both groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PHNENs have lower survival compared to PanNENs. Histological types and treatments affect the prognosis. Surgical resection still remains the first line of treatment for resectable lesions and can significantly improve the survival.

Neuroendocrine regulation of cholangiocarcinoma: A status quo review

Increasing studies have demonstrated that neuroendocrine system is involved in the development and progression of cholangiocarcinoma. The neuroendocrine hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides regulate cholangiocarcinoma via affecting pathophysiology of tumor cells. The developing interaction and interplay between neuroendocrine-associated factors and tumor cells provide novel insights into neural control of tumorigenesis and reveal potential therapeutic effect on patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Herein we reviewed the latest findings and achievements which demonstrate the close interactions between neuroendocrine regulation and progression of cholangiocarcinoma. Also, future therapeutic approaches targeting neuroendocrine-associated factors are discussed which may help improve management and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.