Consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and management of well-differentiated gastroenterohepatic neuroendocrine tumours: a revised statement from a Canadian National Expert Group

Evaluation of demographic and rare clinical characteristics of patients with thoracic carcinoid tumor in Razi and Aria Hospitals of Rasht during 2006-2016

Introduction

Carcinoid tumors are malignant neoplasms of neuroendocrine cells. This study tended to evaluate the demographic and rare clinical characteristics of patients with thoracic carcinoid tumor during 2006-2016 at Razi and Aria Hospitals in Rasht.

Materials and Methods

The present study was performed on records of 43 patients with lung carcinoid tumors referred to Razi and Aria Hospitals of Rasht during 2006-2016. Information on age, gender, rare clinical symptoms, smoking history, diagnosis tools, treatment, and outcome were analyzed.

Results

Of 43 patients treated with definitive diagnosis of carcinoid tumor pathology, 31 patients had typic carcinoid tumor and 12 patients with atypic carcinoma (mean age 43.14 ± 15.16 years). The most common clinical symptom was cough and hemoptysis. Two cases presented with cushing syndrome, The most common diagnostic method in this study was simultaneous use of both CT scans and bronchoscopy. In 95.3% of cases, the tumor was pulmonary and in 4.7% of cases, it was extrapulmonary. Right lower lobe was the most common site of tumors and most of the surgeries used were lobectomy.

Conclusion

This study showed that the most common clinical sign of thoracic carcinoid is cough and the tumor is pulmonary in 95.3% of cases. Right lower lobe was the most common site of tumors and most of the surgeries used were lobectomy. outcome was good.

Updated Trends in Imaging Practices for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Pave the Way for Standardization in the New Era of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence

Purpose

Medical imaging plays a central and decisive role in guiding the management of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). Our aim was to synthesize all recent literature of PNETs, enabling a comparison of all imaging practices.

Methods

based on a systematic review and meta-analysis approach, we collected; using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases; all recent imaging-based studies, published from December 2014 to December 2019. Study quality assessment was performed by QUADAS-2 and MINORS tools.

Results

161 studies consisting of 19852 patients were included. There were 63 ‘imaging’ studies evaluating the accuracy of medical imaging, and 98 ‘clinical’ studies using medical imaging as a tool for response assessment. A wide heterogeneity of practices was demonstrated: imaging modalities were: CT (57.1%, n=92), MR (42.9%, n=69), PET/CT (13.3%, n=31), and SPECT/CT (9.3%, n=15). International imaging guidelines were mentioned in 2.5% (n=4/161) of studies. In clinical studies, imaging protocol was not mentioned in 30.6% (n=30/98) of cases and only mentioned imaging modality without further information in 63.3% (n=62/98), as compared to imaging studies (1.6% (n=1/63) of (p<0.001)). QUADAS-2 and MINORS tools deciphered existing biases in the current literature.

Conclusion

We provide an overview of the updated current trends in use of medical imaging for diagnosis and response assessment in PNETs. The most commonly used imaging modalities are anatomical (CT and MRI), followed by PET/CT and SPECT/CT. Therefore, standardization and homogenization of PNETs imaging practices is needed to aggregate data and leverage a big data approach for Artificial Intelligence purposes.

Vigilance for carcinoid heart disease is still required in the era of somatostatin analogues: Lessons from a case series

AIM

Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a well-documented complication of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) due to secreted hormones causing fibrosis. Somatostatin analogues (SSAs) can decrease hormonal secretion and inhibit tumor growth. The reported incidence of CHD has decreased as SSA use has increased. We describe a series of patients who have developed CHD even though they were treated with SSA therapy.

METHODS

Nine patients were seen in four centers in Australia and New Zealand. The average duration of follow-up from diagnosis was 39 months.

RESULTS

Three patients had Grade 1 and six Grade 2 disease by World Health Organization 2010 criteria. All patients had no CHD symptoms at baseline and started SSA therapy soon after diagnosis, yet developed significant, symptomatic cardiac dysfunction in their disease course. The median time from NET diagnosis to SSA initiation was 1 month, and median time from NET diagnosis to CHD diagnosis was 23 months (range 4-52). All patients who were tested had persistently increased hormonal levels (chromogranin A, urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid).

CONCLUSIONS

The good symptomatic control afforded by SSAs should not lead to reduced vigilance in screening for CHD, especially in patients with persistently elevated hormonal assays. Clinicians should consider regular echocardiographic screening in patients with a secretory syndrome.

Two Histologically Different Primary Malignancies: Synchronous Obstructive Descending Colon Adenocarcinoma and Appendicular Carcinoid Tumor

Patient: Female, 29-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Synchronous gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor and colon adenocarcinoma

Symptoms: Abdominal distension • abdominal pain • obstipation

Medication:—

Clinical Procedure: Colectomy • laparoscopic colectomy • total colectomy

Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology • Surgery

[Gastric neuroendocrine tumors]

Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms. Currently, incidence of gastric neuroendocrine tumors (gNETs) is being significantly increased. There are 3 groups of gNETs: types I, II and III. Each type has important features regarding clinical picture, prognosis and treatment strategy. Type I is the most common (70-80%) and associated with chronic atrophic gastritis including autoimmune gastritis and Helicobacter associated atrophic gastritis. Type II (5-6%) is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (MEN I - ZES). Both types are characterized by hypergastrinemia and small tumor dimension. These neoplasms are multiple and mostly benign. On the contrary, NETs type III (10-15%) is not associated with hypergastrinemia and represented by single large neoplasms. Tumors are malignant as a rule. Therefore, surgical resection and chemotherapy are preferred for these tumors. Endoscopic surgery followed by observation is acceptable for almost all NETS type I and II. At the same time, this approach is advisable only for small and highly differentiated neoplasms type III.

Comparison and clinical implementation of quality of life tools in patients with small bowel neuroendocrine tumors treated with Lu-DOTA-TATE PRRT

Aim: This study assesses if clinically developed quality of life (QoL) tools are as effective in small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) as NET-specific research questionnaires. Methods: QoL in patients with small bowel NETs treated with Lu-DOTA-TATE was assessed with The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30, QLQ-GI.NET21 and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised (ESAS-r) at baseline and after four treatments. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Results: Both EORTC and ESAS-r demonstrated maintained overall QoL. EORTC demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement in insomnia, diarrhea, gastrointestinal, endocrine symptoms and social function. ESAS-r demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement in overall total symptom distress score. Conclusion: ESAS-r is quick and easy to interpret. It is not as sensitive to individual symptoms but does track overall function. EORTC assessment is more complex, but better reflects QoL for NET specific symptoms.

[Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors]

Significant augmentation of the incidence of duodenal neuroendocrine tumors duodenum has been observed in recent decades. There are 5 histological types of these tumors: gastrinoma (50-60%), somatostatin-producing tumor (15%), inactive serotonin-containing tumors (20%), poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (<3%) and gangliocytic paraganglioma (<2%). The majority of tumors are localized within the bulb and postbulbar part of duodenum, 20% are found in periampular area. Treatment strategy depends on dimensions, localization, histological class, stage and type of tumor. It is believed that endoscopic resection is permissible for small inactive tumors (G1) located above major duodenal papilla. The majority of other neoplasms requires surgical resection. Personal experience of various surgeons is limited by small group of patients. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize results for selection of optimal treatment.

BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES IN SYMPTOMATIC AND ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS WITH NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS: POOLED ANALYSIS OF 2 PHASE 3 TRIALS

OBJECTIVE

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are associated with elevated 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and chromogranin A (CgA) levels. This study aimed to analyze relationships between urinary 5-HIAA and plasma CgA levels and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Centrally assessed biomarker levels and correlations with progression-free survival (PFS) and carcinoid syndrome (CS) symptom control were evaluated in a pooled analysis of CLARINET (96-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled) and ELECT (16-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 32-week initial open label and ≥2 year long-term extension open label) studies of adults with NETs, with (ELECT) or without (CLARINET) CS at 97 institutions. Patients were treated with subcutaneous lanreotide depot 120 mg monthly.

RESULTS

Of 319 pooled patients, 86% and 95% had baseline 5-HIAA and CgA data, respectively, with 47% and 74% having levels greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN). PFS was longer among patients who experienced a decrease in biomarker levels at week 12, with statistical significance reached in the CgA cohort (not reached vs. 14.4 months; P<.0001). A large proportion (87%) of patients without symptoms of CS in the CLARINET study had detectable levels of 5-HIAA (48% >ULN). In ELECT, patients with CS who received lanreotide and experienced a biochemical response (≥50% decrease from baseline) achieved greater symptom control.

CONCLUSION

This pooled analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled trials demonstrated that 5-HIAA and CgA are secreted as biochemical biomarkers in many patients with NETs, regardless of clinical syndromes. Significant biochemical response was associated with improved clinical outcomes, as measured by improved PFS or improved CS symptom control.

ABBREVIATIONS

5-HIAA = 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid; CgA = chromogranin A; CI = confidence interval; CLARINET = Controlled Study of Lanreotide Antiproliferative Response in Neuroendocrine Tumors; CS = carcinoid syndrome; ELECT = Evaluation of Lanreotide Depot/Autogel Efficacy and Safety as a Carcinoid Syndrome Treatment; HR = hazard ratio; ITT = intention-to-treat; NET = neuroendocrine tumor; PanNET = pancreatic NET; PFS = progression-free survival; PPI = proton pump inhibitor; SSA = somatostatin analogue; ULN = upper limit of normal.

CT evaluation of response in advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors treated with long-acting-repeatable octreotide: what is the optimal size variation threshold?

OBJECTIVE

To identify a reliable early indicator of deriving progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) treated with octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR).

METHODS

We investigated the images of 50 patients with well-differentiated advanced GEP-NETs treated with LAR octreotide and underwent baseline and follow-up thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computed tomography. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to identify the optimal threshold to distinguish between those with and without significant improvement of PFS.

RESULTS

The optimal threshold for determining a response to octreotide LAR was -10% ΔSLD, with a sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 80%, respectively. At this threshold, 19 patients were responders and 31 were non-responders; the median PFS was 20.2 and 7.6 months in responders and non-responders (hazard ratio, 2.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-5.36).

CONCLUSION

A 10% shrinkage in tumor size is an optimal early predictor of response to octreotide LAR in advanced GEP-NETs.

KEY POINTS

• Octreotide LAR can significantly prolong PFS among patients with well-differentiated advanced GEP-NETs. • No optimal tumor size-based response criteria are reported in GEP-NETs with octreotide. • Ten percent tumor shrinkage is a reliable indicator of the response to octreotide for advanced GEP-NETs.

Cost-effectiveness of everolimus for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine tumours of gastrointestinal or lung origin in Canada

BACKGROUND

In 2016, everolimus was approved by Health Canada for the treatment of unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated, non-functional, neuroendocrine tumours (NET) of gastrointestinal (GI) or lung origin in adult patients with progressive disease. This analysis evaluated the cost-effectiveness of everolimus in this setting from a Canadian societal perspective.

METHODS

A partitioned survival model was developed to compare the cost per life-year (LY) gained and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained of everolimus plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone in patients with advanced or metastatic NET of GI or lung origin. Model health states included stable disease, disease progression, and death. Efficacy inputs were based on the RADIANT-4 trial and utilities were mapped from quality-of-life data retrieved from RADIANT-4. Resource utilization inputs were derived from a Canadian physician survey, while cost inputs were obtained from official reimbursement lists from Ontario and other published sources. Costs and efficacy outcomes were discounted 5% annually over a 10-year time horizon, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the base case results.

RESULTS

Everolimus had an incremental gain of 0.616 QALYs (0.823 LYs) and CA$89,795 resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CA$145,670 per QALY gained (CA$109,166 per LY gained). The probability of cost-effectiveness was 52.1% at a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of CA$150,000 per QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicate that everolimus has a 52.1% probability of being cost-effective at a WTP threshold of CA$150,000 per QALY gained in Canada.

Identifying and Prioritizing Gaps in Neuroendocrine Tumor Research: A Modified Delphi Process With Patients and Health Care Providers to Set the Research Action Plan for the Newly Formed Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumor Collaboration

Purpose

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a diverse group of malignancies that pose challenges common to all rare tumors. The Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumor Collaboration (CommNETS) was established in 2015 to enhance outcomes for patients with NETs in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A modified Delphi process was undertaken involving patients, clinicians, and researchers to identify gaps in NETs research to produce a comprehensive and defensible research action plan.

Methods

A three-round modified Delphi process was undertaken with larger representation than usual for medical consensus processes. Patient/advocate and health care provider/researcher expert panels undertook Round 1, which canvassed 17 research priorities and 42 potential topics; in Round 2, these priorities were ranked. Round 3 comprised a face-to-face meeting to generate final consensus rankings and formulate the research action plan.

Results

The Delphi groups consisted of 203 participants in Round 1 (64% health care providers/researchers, 36% patient/advocates; 52% Canadian, 32% Australian, and 17% New Zealander), of whom 132 participated in Round 2. The top eight priorities were biomarker development; peptide receptor radionuclide therapy optimization; trials of new agents in advanced NETs; functional imaging; sequencing therapies for metastatic NETs, including development of validated surrogate end points for studies; pathologic classification; early diagnosis; interventional therapeutics; and curative surgery. Two major areas were ranked significantly higher by patients/advocates: early diagnosis and curative surgery. Six CommNETS working parties were established.

Conclusion

This modified Delphi process resulted in a well-founded set of research priorities for the newly formed CommNETS collaboration by involving a large, diverse group of stakeholders. This approach to setting a research agenda for a new collaborative group should be adopted to ensure that research plans reflect unmet needs and priorities in the field.

Carbidopa-assisted 18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine PET/CT for the localization and staging of non-functioning neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors

OBJECTIVE

CD premedication was found to increase the value of ¹⁸F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine (¹⁸F-FDOPA) PET/CT imaging in the detection of adult insulinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of CD-assisted ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT in the diagnosis and staging of non-functioning pNETs.

METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients with low-grade pNETs who underwent CD-assisted ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT imaging and ¹¹¹In-somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) were evaluated. Histology was considered as the gold standard. In case where no surgical resection was performed, the diagnosis of pNET was made by the confrontation of the different available imaging modalities.

RESULTS

CD-assisted ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT was positive in 18/20 cases (90 %), whereas SRS was positive in 13/19 cases (68 %). When considered the 19 patients underwent both nuclear medicine examinations, ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT was significantly more sensitive then SRS for primary tumor detection (p = 0.049). False-negative results of both ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT and SRS were observed in 2 cystic pNETs. SRS failed to detect one additional cystic tumor and 3 pNETs of 10, 12 and 17 mm, respectively. ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT correctly identified all patients with lymphatic, visceral and bone metastases. SRS failed to detect lymphatic spread and was falsely negative in one patient with splenic metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to widely held assumptions, our study further expands the application of CD-assisted ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT for non-functioning pNETs when ⁶⁸Ga-radiolabeled somatostatin analogs are not available.

Diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors: An evidence-based Canadian consensus

The majority of neuroendocrine tumors originate in the digestive system and incidence is increasing within Canada and globally. Due to rapidly evolving evidence related to diagnosis and clinical management, updated guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs) are of clinical importance. Well-differentiated GI-NETs may exhibit indolent clinical behavior and are often metastatic at diagnosis. Some NET patients will develop secretory disease requiring symptom control to optimize quality of life and clinical outcomes. Optimal management of GI-NETs is in a multidisciplinary environment and is multimodal, requiring collaboration between medical, surgical, imaging and pathology specialties. Clinical application of advances in pathological classification and diagnostic technologies, along with evolving surgical, radiotherapeutic and medical therapies are critical to the advancement of patient care. We performed a systematic literature search to update our last set of published guidelines (2010) and identified new level 1 evidence for novel therapies, including telotristat etiprate (TELESTAR), lanreotide (CLARINET), everolimus (RADIANT-2; RADIANT-4) and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT; NETTER-1). Integrating these data with the clinical knowledge of 16 multi-disciplinary experts, we devised consensus recommendations to guide state of the art clinical management of GI-NETs.

Circulating Chromogranin A as A Marker for Monitoring Clinical Response in Advanced Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Chromogranin A (CgA), present in the chromaffin granules of neuroendocrine cells, is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). This study was conducted to investigate the potential role of circulating CgA in monitoring clinical response in Chinese patients with advanced GEP-NETs. Eighty patients with advanced GEP-NETs treated in Peking University Cancer Hospital from September 2011 to May 2014 and 65 healthy individuals were included in this study. Serum CgA levels were analyzed for relationship with patient's baseline characteristics and clinical outcome. Median CgA levels were significantly higher in patients with advanced GEP-NETs than in healthy individuals (93.8 ng/mL vs. 37.1 ng/mL; P<0.01), as well as significantly higher in patients with carcinoid syndrome or liver metastasis than in those without carcinoid syndrome (298.8 ng/mL vs. 82.9 ng/mL; P = 0.011) or liver metastasis (137.0 ng/mL vs. 64.4 ng/mL; P = 0.023). A CgA cutoff value of 46.2 ng/mL was used in this study with a sensitivity of 78.8% and specificity of 73.8%. Patients with CgA levels higher than 46.2 ng/mL had a worse prognosis than patients with CgA levels lower than 46.2 ng/mL (P = 0.045). Notably, a weak correlation was observed between changes in serum CgA levels and clinical response to the IP regimen as well as SSAs. Our data also indicate that serum CgA could be a useful indicator of patient prognosis though there is more research required in order to validate such claims.

Finding a Needle in a Haystack: The Diagnosis of a Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumor by Transrectal Prostate Biopsy

INTRODUCTION

Prostate biopsy, usually performed by a transrectal approach, is executed when there is a suspicion of prostate cancer. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are epithelial neoplasms with predominant neuroendocrine differentiation and only 19% of them are localized in the rectum.

CASE REPORT

The authors describe a 73-year-old man without a significant past medical history that underwent a prostate biopsy because of urinary complaints and elevated serum levels of prostate specific antigen. The histology revealed a well-differentiated NET characterized as a low-grade tumor (G1). A total colonoscopy revealed a 5 mm sessile rectal polyp and in the splenic flexure a sessile lesion with central ulceration with 5 cm with histological features compatible with an adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case reported in the literature of a rectal NET diagnosed by transrectal prostate biopsy. This case is particularly unique because the diagnosis of the NET lead to the subsequent timely detection of a colonic adenocarcinoma.

Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2014

The annual Eastern Canadian Colorectal Cancer Consensus Conference was held in Montreal, Quebec, 23-25 October 2014. Expert radiation, medical, and surgical oncologists and pathologists involved in the management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies participated in presentations and discussions resulting in consensus statements on such hot topics as management of neuroendocrine tumours, advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer, and metastatic colorectal cancer.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of lanreotide in combination with targeted therapies in patients with neuroendocrine tumours in clinical practice: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis

Background

Based on the mechanism of action, combining somatostatin analogues (SSAs) with mTOR inhibitors or antiangiogenic agents may provide synergistic effects for the treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Herein, we investigate the use of these treatment combinations in clinical practice.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients with NETs treated with the SSA lanreotide and targeted therapies at 35 Spanish hospitals evaluated the efficacy and safety of lanreotide treatment combinations in clinical practice. The data of 159 treatment combinations with lanreotide in 133 patients was retrospectively collected.

Results

Of the 133 patients, with a median age of 59.4 (16–83) years, 70 (52.6 %) patients were male, 64 (48.1 %) had pancreatic NET, 23 (17.3 %) had ECOG PS ≥2, 41 (30.8 %) had functioning tumours, 63 (47.7 %) underwent surgery of the primary tumour, 45 (33.8 %) had received prior chemotherapy, and 115 (86.5 %) had received prior SSAs. 115 patients received 1 lanreotide treatment combination and 18 patients received between 2 and 5 combinations. Lanreotide was mainly administered in combination with everolimus (73 combinations) or sunitinib (61 combinations). The probability of being progression-free was 78.5 % (6 months), 68.6 % (12 months) and 57.0 % (18 months) for patients who only received everolimus plus lanreotide (n = 57) and 89.3 % (6 months), 73.0 % (12 months), and 67.4 % (18 months) for patients who only received sunitinib and lanreotide (n = 50). In patients who only received everolimus plus lanreotide the median time-to-progression from the initiation of lanreotide combination treatment was 25.8 months (95 % CI, 11.3, 40.3) and it had not yet been reached among the subgroup of patients only receiving sunitinib plus lanreotide. The safety profile of the combination treatment was comparable to that of the targeted agent alone.

Conclusions

The combination of lanreotide and targeted therapies, mainly everolimus and sunitinib, is widely used in clinical practice without unexpected toxicities and suggests efficacy that should be explored in randomized prospective clinical trials.

Consensus Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Guidelines from a Canadian National Expert Group

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare heterogeneous tumors that have been steadily increasing in both incidence and prevalence during the past few decades. Pancreatic NETs are categorized as functional (F) or nonfunctional (NF) based on their ability to secrete hormones that elicit clinically relevant symptoms. Specialized diagnostic tests are required for diagnosis. Treatment options are diverse and include surgical resection, intraarterial hepatic therapy, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Systemic therapy options include targeted agents as well as chemotherapy when indicated. Diagnosis and management should occur through a collaborative team of health care practitioners well-experienced in managing pNETs. Recent advances in pNET treatment options have led to the development of the Canadian consensus document described in this report. The discussion includes the epidemiology, classification, pathology, clinical presentation and prognosis, imaging and laboratory testing, medical and surgical management, and recommended treatment algorithms for pancreatic neuroendocrine cancers.

Clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements in oncology--an assessment of their methodological quality

BACKGROUND

Consensus statements and clinical practice guidelines are widely available for enhancing the care of cancer patients. Despite subtle differences in their definition and purpose, these terms are often used interchangeably. We systematically assessed the methodological quality of consensus statements and clinical practice guidelines published in three commonly read, geographically diverse, cancer-specific journals. Methods Consensus statements and clinical practice guidelines published between January 2005 and September 2013 in Current Oncology, European Journal of Cancer and Journal of Clinical Oncology were evaluated. Each publication was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) rigour of development and editorial independence domains. For assessment of transparency of document development, 7 additional items were taken from the Institute of Medicine's standards for practice guidelines and the Journal of Clinical Oncology guidelines for authors of guidance documents.

METHODS

Consensus statements and clinical practice guidelines published between January 2005 and September 2013 in Current Oncology, European Journal of Cancer and Journal of Clinical Oncology were evaluated. Each publication was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) rigour of development and editorial independence domains. For assessment of transparency of document development, 7 additional items were taken from the Institute of Medicine's standards for practice guidelines and the Journal of Clinical Oncology guidelines for authors of guidance documents.

FINDINGS

Thirty-four consensus statements and 67 clinical practice guidelines were evaluated. The rigour of development score for consensus statements over the three journals was 32% lower than that of clinical practice guidelines. The editorial independence score was 15% lower for consensus statements than clinical practice guidelines. One journal scored consistently lower than the others over both domains. No journals adhered to all the items related to the transparency of document development. One journal's consensus statements endorsed a product made by the sponsoring pharmaceutical company in 64% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Guidance documents are an essential part of oncology care and should be subjected to a rigorous and validated development process. Consensus statements had lower methodological quality than clinical practice guidelines using AGREE II. At a minimum, journals should ensure that that all consensus statements and clinical practice guidelines adhere to AGREE II criteria. Journals should consider explicitly requiring guidelines to declare pharmaceutical company sponsorship and to identify the sponsor's product to enhance transparency.

Detection of neuroendocrine tumours in the small intestines using contrast-enhanced multiphase Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT: the potential role of arterial hyperperfusion

Background

Interpretation of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) by Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT can be difficult. The potential benefit of arterial hyperperfusion for the detection of NETs was evaluated.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2009, 320 consecutive Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT examinations, performed for NETs, revealed 40 lesions suggesting intestinal NETs in 25 patients. Two groups of lesions were distinguished: epigastric lesions evaluable in the arterial and venous CT scan (Group 1) and hypogastrial lesions evaluable in the venous CT scan only (Group 2). Lesions were jointly rated by two radiologists and a nuclear medicine physician. Maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) of lesions and background were assessed. The reference standard was histology (available for 28 lesions) or follow-up (for a mean of 22.9 months).

Results

PET detected all suspicious lesions but was false positive in 3 lesions. In Group 1 the arterial scan performed significantly better than the venous scan (p = 0.008). Diagnostic performance was better in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.001). SUVmax of true positive lesions were significantly higher than background SUVmax (p < 0.001) and SUVmax of false positive lesions (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

The arterial phase of multiphase Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT might improve the localization of intestinal NETs and, thereby, improve the overall diagnostic accuracy of this modality in the assessment of intestinal NETs by adding information about lesion perfusion not available when only venous CT is performed.

Ki-67 is a reliable pathological grading marker for neuroendocrine tumors

In neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), proliferation markers, especially Ki-67, have become increasingly important. This study was designed to examine the reproducibility of Ki-67 for use in the current classification of NETs. A retrospectively assembled integrated database with prospectively collected data of patients undergoing multidisciplinary management for NETs from 2000 to 2009 was analyzed. Original pathology was reviewed to reassess Ki-67 values. Ki-67 was then categorized to grades G1 (≤2 %), G2 (3-20 %), or G3 (>20 %) according to the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) guidelines and the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Original Ki-67 values were compared to reviewed values. All statistical analyses were carried out using SAS 9.1.3. A total of 184 patients were included of which 48 % were male. The most common primary NET site was the small bowel, in 27 %. On pathology review, there was 94 % agreement for G1, with 4 % of cases upgraded at review to G2 and 2 % of cases upgraded to G3. For G2, there was 94 % agreement, with 6 % of cases downgraded to G1 and 0 % upgraded. For G3, there was 90 % agreement, with 10 % of cases downgraded to G2 and none to G1 (kappa = 0.89). Ki-67 is a proliferative marker for NETs that is highly reproducible when used to grade tumors according to ENETS and WHO categories. The high inter-institutional reliability in the determination of tumor grade as assessed by Ki-67 makes it a reliable tool in the assessment of patients with NETs.

Obstrucción intestinal por tumor neuroendocrino. Reporte de un caso

Los  tumores  neuroendocrinos  bien  diferenciados  (NET) anteriormente  denominado  "tumores  carcinoides"  son tumores relativamente raros procedentes del sistema difuso neuroendocrino, se encuentran con mayor frecuencia en los sistemas bronquial y gastrointestinal y su presencia puede ser imperceptible por años, sin signos obvios o síntomas. Se presenta  el  caso  de  un  paciente  de  61  años  sin comorbilidades, quien  consulta en  varias ocasiones a una IPS (Institución  Prestadora  de  Salud)  de  la  ciudad  de Bucaramanga por sintomatología compatible con obstrucción intestinal  a  quien  se  le  da  manejo  con  medicamentos, teniendo poca mejoría. El paciente  llega a nuestra  IPS por cuadro de dolor abdominal  tipo cólico, náuseas, distensión abdominal y sin deposiciones de dos días de evolución. Al examen  físico  se  encuentra  rubicundez  en  la  cara.  La laparotomía exploratoria muestra   obstrucción intestinal y la investigación histopatológica de las biopsias revela un tumor carcinoide mixto.  En  el  postoperatorio  el  estado  de  salud empeora. La obstrucción intestinal por este tipo de tumor, es de difícil diagnóstico  y manejo, por  lo  cual  se  requiere de personal muy bien entrenado, así  como de alta  sospecha clínica  para  hacer  un  diagnóstico  oportuno.

'Sweet Dreams', 'Happy Days' and elevated 24-h urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion

We report two patients with markedly elevated 24-h urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretion due to over-the-counter (OTC) self-medication with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). It is important to recognize that OTC medication may cause increased 'false-positive' 5-HIAA excretion to prevent undue patient anxiety and unnecessary further investigation for carcinoid disease. Discordance between chromogranin A and 24-h urine 5-HIAA results should alert to the possibility of false-positive or -negative laboratory results.

Gastric neuroendocrine tumours

BACKGROUND

Gastric neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are increasingly recognised, and management decisions may be difficult due to an incomplete understanding of aetiology, natural history and optimum therapy. This article presents a current understanding based on recent advances in epidemiology, classification, molecular profiling, and treatment.

METHODS

Relevant medical literature was identified from searches of PubMed and references cited in appropriate articles identified. Selection of articles was based on peer review, journal and relevance.

RESULTS

Gastric NETs may be divided into three clinical prognostic groups: type I is associated with autoimmune atrophic gastritis and hypergastrinaemia, type II is associated with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and type III lesions are gastrin-independent, have the greatest metastatic potential and poorest prognosis. There has been an increased frequency of gastric NETs reported. Management approaches have evolved in parallel with advances in endoscopic staging and surgery, as well as improved understanding of the biology and natural history of NETs.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric NETs present a spectrum of activity from indolent tumours to metastatic malignancy. Treatment decisions for patients must be individualised and are best managed by a multidisciplinary team approach. The current evidence base is limited to small series and efforts to treat patients within clinical networks of expertise are warranted.

Chromogranin A: a sensitive biomarker for the detection and post-treatment monitoring of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that arise from neuroendocrine cells of the GI tract and pancreas. Due to the lack of symptoms in the early stage of the disease and the frequency of nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, GEP-NET are difficult to diagnose. This delay in diagnosis often results in patients presenting with advanced disease and thus a poor prognosis. There is an unmet medical need for earlier, more definitive GEP-NET diagnosis. Identification of effective biomarkers to improve GEP-NET diagnosis, as well as to assess treatment efficacy, relapse and prognosis, is important for improving outcomes in GEP-NET. Chromogranin A is currently the most useful general biomarker for the assessment of GEP-NET. This review summarizes the biochemical characteristics of chromogranin A, its specificity and sensitivity for GEP-NET diagnosis, and its use in monitoring treatment effectiveness, disease progression and prognosis.

Nuclear medicine imaging of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The key role of cellular differentiation and tumor grade: from theory to clinical practice

Nuclear medicine imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool for the management of patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, mainly developed considering some cellular characteristics that are specific to the neuroendocrine phenotype. Hence, overexpression of specific trans membrane receptors as well as the cellular ability to take up, accumulate, and decarboxylate amine precursors have been considered for diagnostic radiotracer development. Moreover, the glycolytic metabolism, which is not a specific energetic pathway of neuroendocrine tumors, has been proposed for radionuclide imaging of neuroendocrine tumors. The results of scintigraphic examinations reflect the pathologic features and tumor metabolic properties, allowing the in vivo characterization of the disease. In this article, the influence of both cellular differentiation and tumor grade in the scintigraphic pattern is reviewed according to the literature data. The relationship between nuclear imaging results and prognosis is also discussed. Despite the existence of a relationship between the results of scintigraphic imaging and cellular differentiation, tumor grade and patient outcome, the mechanism explaining the variability of the results needs further investigation.

Distribution, incidence, and prognosis in neuroendocrine tumors: a population based study from a cancer registry

Neuroendocrine tumors are considered rare tumors: recently an increased incidence and an improvement in survival were described. We explore distribution, incidence and survival of neuroendocrine tumors using population based registry data. We extracted from the Tuscan Cancer Registry neuroendocrine tumors from 1985-2005, and we evaluated distribution, incidence ad survival according to sex, site of tumor, age and stage at diagnosis. 455 cases of neuroendocrine tumors were identified. The overall incidence increased over the study period from 0.7 per 100,000 per year to 1.6 among men (APC +3.6) and from 0.3 to 2.1 among women (APC +4.8). The anatomic distribution of tumors was lung 25.7%, small intestine 23.5%, appendix 10.9%, colon 10.3%, pancreas 9.4%, stomach 7.4%, and rectum 5.2%. Neuroendocrine tumors were more frequent among males and incidence rate increased with age. We observed increased incidence of neuroendocrine tumors, while survival did not change over time. Prognosis varied with age, stage and localization; females had better survival than males. The increase number of neuroendocrine tumors may be due, at least in part, to better registration and to improvement of diagnosis.

A rare combination of an endocrine tumour of the common bile duct and a follicular lymphoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case report and review of the literature

Carcinoid tumours of the common bile duct represent an extremely rare entity. Similarly, primary follicular lymphomas of the ampulla of Vater constitute an infrequent neoplasia. Herein, we report the first case of a synchronous development of a carcinoid tumour of the common bile duct and an ampullary follicular lymphoma that was treated surgically with a Whipple's procedure, due to inability to establish definitive preoperative diagnosis despite the extensive diagnostic investigation.