Tumour diameter is not reliable for management of non-secreting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Small non-functioning pancreatic NETs (pNETs) ≤2 cm can pose a management dilemma in terms of surveillance or resection. There is evidence to suggest that a surveillance approach can be considered since there are no significant radiological changes observed in lesions during long-term follow-up. However, other studies have suggested loco-regional spread can be present in ≤2 cm pNETs. The aim of this study was to characterise the prevalence of malignant features and identify any useful predictive variables in a surgically resected cohort of pNETs. 418 patients with pNETs were identified from 5 NET centres. Of these 227 were included for main analysis of tumour characteristics. Mean age of patients was 57 years, 47% were female. The median follow-up was 48.2 months. Malignant features were identified in 38% of ≤2 cm pNETs. ROC analysis showed that the current cut-off of 20 mm had a sensitivity of 84% for malignancy. The rate of malignant features is in keeping with other surgical series and challenges the belief that small pNETs have a low malignant potential. This study does not support a 20 mm size cut-off as being a solitary safe parameter to exclude malignancy in pNETs.
Date Issued
2017-10-25
Date Acceptance
2017-10-25
Citation
Endocrine Connections, 2017, 6 (8), pp.876-885
ISSN
2049-3614
Publisher
BioScientifica
Start Page
876
End Page
885
Journal / Book Title
Endocrine Connections
Volume
6
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
License URL
Sponsor
Dr. Heinz-Horst Deichmann Stiftung
Grant Number
n/a
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-11-06