Clinicopathological features of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A retrospective evaluation of 42 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Neuroendocrine tumors arise from neuroendocrine cells in any part of the body; approximately two thirds of these tumors are located in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Although gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are known as rare neoplasms, their prevalence has recently increased due to advanced diagnostic methods and increased awareness of the disorder. In the present study, we aimed to review patients who were treated and followed up for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors at our clinic in terms of clinical picture, pathological findings, and prognosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 42 patients diagnosed with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who were treated and followed up at our Training and Research Hospital from August 2011 to December 2015 were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS: A total of 42 patients aged 17-81 years (mean age 46.9 years) were enrolled in the study. The most common symptom was abdominal pain, which was seen in 31 (73.8%) patients. gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors were detected in the stomach (n=5, 35.7%), appendix (n=11, 26.2%), rectum (n=6, 14.3%), pancreas (n=4, 9.5%), ileum and colon (n=2, 4.8%), and duodenum and jejunum (n=1, 2.4%). Local excision was performed in seven (16.7%) patients. Nine (21.4%) patients underwent gastric wedge resections, either by a laparoscopic procedure (n=3) or by open surgery (n=6). Total gastrectomy and laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy were performed on three (7.1%) patients and two patients (4.8%), respectively. After the surgical procedures, the patients were followed up for a mean period of 36 months (15-57 months); the one-year and three-year survival rates were determined to be 100% and 97.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors requires accumulation of knowledge and experience to establish a standardized approach. Therefore, we believe that collecting regular national data from these cases in every country will contribute to understanding the details of this entity worldwide.