Multimodality management, recurrence patterns, and long-term outcome of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: Progress over 17 years.

BACKGROUND: Many advances in the management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) happened in the last two decades. This study highlights the progress in its management over 17 years, outcomes, recurrence patterns, and follow up protocols. METHODS: This retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database at a single tertiary center included GEP-NEN patients from January 2001 to August 2017. Management protocols were based on European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society guidelines. Recurrences were categorized as follows: localized nodal, regional, distant hepatic, or combined. Patients were divided into cohorts: cohort 1 (2001-2006), cohort 2 (2007-2011), and cohort 3 (2012-2017). Survival patterns were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two patients were included with 98 (51.04%) grade (G) 1, 64 (33.34%) G2, and 30 (15.63%) G3. One hundred and four (54.16%) underwent curative surgery (58 G1, 27 G2, and 19 G3). Overall follow up ranged from 3 to 276 months; 39 were lost to follow up. Ninety-six patients had recurrences: 44 regional + distant and 40 liver-limited recurrences. One-, 3-, and 5-year survivals show significant differences among different treatment groups (p < 0.05). Significant increase in curative resections, chemotherapy utilization, and reduced recurrences were noted in cohort 3. Curative (R0) resection offered 1- and 3-year overall survival of 93.3% and 66.7% in cohort 1; 95.8% and 83.1% in cohort 2; and 100% and 92.9% in cohort 3. CONCLUSION: Curative resection is the most significant factor for improved survival. Debulking surgerical procedure have a role whereas upfront peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is questionable. Chemotherapy improves overall survival in inoperable/metastatic setting. Recurrence patterns indicate that a long-term follow up greater than 10 years is necessary.

Trends in diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) in India: A report of multicenter data from a web-based registry.

INTRODUCTION: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are rare tumors. We report data of 407 GEP-NET cases from a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) registry in India. METHODS: The AP-NET registry is an open-label, multicenter, longitudinal observational registry of patients with GEP-NETs in which six tertiary care oncology centers contributed data. Data was prospectively entered in a dedicated computerized database and was reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three cohorts-those diagnosed from 2001 to 2005, from 2006 to 2010, and from 2011 to 2016. RESULTS: Of the 407 cases registered, 37 were in Cohort I, 136 in Cohort II, and 234 in Cohort III. Majority were symptomatic with only 98 patients (24.0%) asymptomatic. The most common presentation of non-functional tumors was abdominal pain (42.4%), while functional tumors presented most commonly with carcinoid syndrome. Use of DOTA-PET, introduced in 2011, has increased evaluation in 33.3% patients in Cohort III. The most common primary site was pancreas in all three cohorts. Male preponderance (58.3%) was seen. Histopathological grading was obtained in 230 (56.5%) patients-118 (29%) Grade I, 74 (18.2%) Grade II, and 36 (8.8%) Grade III NET. CONCLUSION: This report highlights changing trends in the diagnosis and reporting of NETs over the last 15 years.