Behavior of Small, Asymptomatic, Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (NF-PNETs). Issue 26 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jung, Jae Gu; Lee, Kyu Taek; Woo, Young Sik; Lee, Jong Kyun; Lee, Kwang Hyuck; Jang, Kee-Taek; Rhee, Jong Chul; Agrawal., Shefali
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 94:Issue 26(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000000983
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Small nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) usually exhibit minimal or no growth over many years. However, there is a controversy regarding the optimal management of incidentally discovered, small NF-PNETs. This study aimed to gain insights into tumor behavior and potential strategies for clinical management.</p> <p>We retrospectively reviewed a total of 202 patients with a suspected PNET (size 2 cm or smaller) at Samsung Medical Center from January 1, 1995 to April 30, 2012. Among these patients, 72 patients were excluded and 145 patients were enrolled in our study. Patients were included if the size of the tumor was ⩽2 cm without familial syndrome, radiographic evidence of local invasion or metastases.</p> <p>Among the 145 patients, 76 patients (52.4%) had pathologically confirmed PNETs. Eleven (14.5%) and 3 (3.9%) of these 76 patients were diagnosed with NET G2 and G3, respectively. PNETs measuring 1.5 cm or more in size had a higher probability of being classified as NET G2 or G3 compared with PNETs measuring <1.5 cm (<italic>P</italic> = 0.03). Older age (≥55 years) and a meaningful tumor growth (≥20% or ≥5 mm) were significantly associated with NET G2 or G3 (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05).</p> <p>Older age (≥55 years), larger tumor size (≥1.5 cm), and a meaningful tumor growth (≥20% or ≥5 mm) were associated with NET G2 or G3. Intensive follow-up could be an acceptable approach in small (especially <1.5 cm), asymptomatic, NF-PNETs.</p> </sec> </abstract>