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Endocrinology155 papers

Neuroendocrine neoplasm

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells, commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs, with varying degrees of differentiation and clinical aggressiveness. 121122

Diagnosis

  • Biochemical markers: Measurement of specific neuroendocrine markers (e.g., chromogranin A, serotonin, CgA) is crucial. 1521
  • Imaging: Utilize CT, MRI, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT) for localization and staging. 152021
  • Histopathology: Histopathological examination confirms diagnosis, including assessment of tumor grade using Ki-67 index and morphology. 121723
  • Molecular testing: Emerging importance of molecular subtyping using NETest liquid biopsy and circulating microRNAs for better prognostic stratification. 915
  • Management

  • Well-differentiated NENs:
  • - First-line: Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide, lanreotide) for symptom control and potential stabilization. 11520 - Adjunctive: Everolimus, sunitinib for advanced disease when somatostatin analogs are insufficient. 115
  • Poorly differentiated NENs:
  • - First-line: Chemotherapy regimens (e.g., platinum-based, etoposide) tailored to tumor biology. 115 - Adjunctive: Targeted therapies like temozolomide, considering duration and risk of secondary hematological neoplasms. 315
  • Radionuclide therapy: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-DOTATATE for metastatic disease. 1520
  • Special Populations

  • Elderly: Tailor treatment intensity based on comorbidities and functional status; consider less aggressive therapies initially. 8
  • Comorbidities: Manage comorbidities carefully, especially in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radionuclide therapy, to mitigate adverse effects. 8
  • Key Recommendations

  • Utilize biochemical markers and advanced imaging techniques (EUS, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT) for accurate diagnosis and staging of NENs. (Evidence: Strong 152021)
  • Employ somatostatin analogs as first-line therapy for well-differentiated NENs, transitioning to targeted therapies like everolimus or sunitinib for advanced disease. (Evidence: Moderate 115)
  • Consider molecular subtyping and liquid biopsy for prognostic assessment and guiding personalized treatment strategies. (Evidence: Moderate 915)
  • Tailor treatment approaches in elderly patients and those with significant comorbidities, balancing efficacy and tolerability. (Evidence: Expert opinion 8)
  • References

    1 Tez M. Limitations of Using Tumour Grade for Preoperative Lymph Node Metastasis Prediction in GEP-NENs: A Letter to the Editor. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP 2025. link 2 Panzuto F, Parodi MC, Esposito G, Massironi S, Fantin A, Cannizzaro R et al.. Endoscopic management of gastric, duodenal and rectal NETs: Position paper from the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet), Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED). Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver 2024. link 3 Park R, Amin M, Trikalinos NA. Temozolomide duration and secondary hematological neoplasms: A literature review and implications for patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms. Journal of neuroendocrinology 2022. link 4 Bednarczuk T, Zemczak A, Bolanowski M, Borowska M, Chmielik E, Ćwikła JB et al.. Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the small intestine and the appendix - update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Nowotwory neuroendokrynne jelita cienkiego i wyrostka robaczkowego - uaktualnione zasady diagnostyki i leczenia (rekomendowane przez Polską Sieć Guzów Neuroendokrynnych)]. Endokrynologia Polska 2022. link 5 Kos-Kudła B, Rosiek V, Borowska M, Bednarczuk T, Bolanowski M, Chmielik E et al.. Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms - update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Nowotwory neuroendokrynne trzustki - uaktualnione zasady diagnostyki i leczenia (rekomendowane przez Polską Sieć Guzów Neuroendokrynych)]. Endokrynologia Polska 2022. link 6 Rydzewska G, Strzelczyk J, Bednarczuk T, Bolanowski M, Borowska M, Chmielik E et al.. Gastroduodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms including gastrinoma - update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Nowotwory neuroendokrynne żołądka i dwunastnicy z uwzględnieniem gastrinoma - uaktualnione zasady postępowania (rekomendowane przez Polską Sieć Guzów Neuroendokrynnych)]. Endokrynologia Polska 2022. link 7 Prantesh J, Dorth J, Asa SL, Mohamed A. Nasopharyngeal neuroendocrine neoplasms: Systematic review of the literature and case presentation. Journal of neuroendocrinology 2021. link 8 Casey RT, Valk GD, Schalin-Jäntti C, Grossman AB, Thakker RV. ENDOCRINOLOGY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: Clinical management of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). European journal of endocrinology 2020. link 9 Yan J, Yu S, Jia C, Li M, Chen J. Molecular subtyping in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: New insights into clinical, pathological unmet needs and challenges. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer 2020. link 10 Gaudenzi G, Dicitore A, Carra S, Saronni D, Pozza C, Giannetta E et al.. MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Precision medicine in neuroendocrine neoplasms: an update on current management and future perspectives. European journal of endocrinology 2019. link 11 Clement DS, Tesselaar ME, van Leerdam ME, Srirajaskanthan R, Ramage JK. Nutritional and vitamin status in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms. World journal of gastroenterology 2019. link 12 Uccella S, La Rosa S, Volante M, Papotti M. Immunohistochemical Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal, Pancreatic, Pulmonary, and Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Endocrine pathology 2018. link 13 Varas Lorenzo MJ, Muñoz Agel F. A rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm. Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas 2017. link 14 Lipiński M, Rydzewska G, Foltyn W, Andrysiak-Mamos E, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Bednarczuk T et al.. Gastroduodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms, including gastrinoma - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2017. link 15 Kos-Kudła B, Rosiek V, Borowska M, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Bednarczuk T, Blicharz-Dorniak J et al.. Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2017. link 16 Bednarczuk T, Bolanowski M, Zemczak A, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Blicharz-Dorniak J, Boratyn-Nowicka A et al.. Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the small intestine and appendix - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2017. link 17 Kos-Kudła B, Blicharz-Dorniak J, Strzelczyk J, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Bednarczuk T, Bolanowski M et al.. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2017. link 18 Rydzewska G, Cichocki A, Ćwikła JB, Foltyn W, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Kamiński G et al.. Gastroduodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms including gastrinoma - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2013. link 19 Bolanowski M, Bednarczuk T, Bobek-Billewicz B, Handkiewicz-Junak D, Jeziorski A, Nowakowska-Duława E et al.. Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the small intestine and the appendix - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2013. link 20 Kos-Kudła B, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Kuśnierz K, Lampe P, Marek B, Nasierowska-Guttmejer A et al.. Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2013. link 21 Kos-Kudła B, Blicharz-Dorniak J, Handkiewicz-Junak D, Jarząb B, Jarząb M, Kunikowska J et al.. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours). Endokrynologia Polska 2013. link 22 Warren WH, Gould VE. Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung. A 10 year perspective of their classification. Zentralblatt fur Pathologie 1993. link 23 Nagle RB, Payne CM, Clark VA. Comparison of the usefulness of histochemistry and ultrastructural cytochemistry in the identification of neuroendocrine neoplasms. American journal of clinical pathology 1986. link

    Original source

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      Limitations of Using Tumour Grade for Preoperative Lymph Node Metastasis Prediction in GEP-NENs: A Letter to the Editor.Tez M Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP (2025)
    2. [2]
      Endoscopic management of gastric, duodenal and rectal NETs: Position paper from the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet), Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED).Panzuto F, Parodi MC, Esposito G, Massironi S, Fantin A, Cannizzaro R et al. Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (2024)
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      Nasopharyngeal neuroendocrine neoplasms: Systematic review of the literature and case presentation.Prantesh J, Dorth J, Asa SL, Mohamed A Journal of neuroendocrinology (2021)
    8. [8]
      ENDOCRINOLOGY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: Clinical management of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs).Casey RT, Valk GD, Schalin-Jäntti C, Grossman AB, Thakker RV European journal of endocrinology (2020)
    9. [9]
      Molecular subtyping in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: New insights into clinical, pathological unmet needs and challenges.Yan J, Yu S, Jia C, Li M, Chen J Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer (2020)
    10. [10]
      MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Precision medicine in neuroendocrine neoplasms: an update on current management and future perspectives.Gaudenzi G, Dicitore A, Carra S, Saronni D, Pozza C, Giannetta E et al. European journal of endocrinology (2019)
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      Nutritional and vitamin status in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms.Clement DS, Tesselaar ME, van Leerdam ME, Srirajaskanthan R, Ramage JK World journal of gastroenterology (2019)
    12. [12]
      Immunohistochemical Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal, Pancreatic, Pulmonary, and Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.Uccella S, La Rosa S, Volante M, Papotti M Endocrine pathology (2018)
    13. [13]
      A rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm.Varas Lorenzo MJ, Muñoz Agel F Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas (2017)
    14. [14]
      Gastroduodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms, including gastrinoma - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Lipiński M, Rydzewska G, Foltyn W, Andrysiak-Mamos E, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Bednarczuk T et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2017)
    15. [15]
      Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Kos-Kudła B, Rosiek V, Borowska M, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Bednarczuk T, Blicharz-Dorniak J et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2017)
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      Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the small intestine and appendix - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Bednarczuk T, Bolanowski M, Zemczak A, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Blicharz-Dorniak J, Boratyn-Nowicka A et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2017)
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      Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Kos-Kudła B, Blicharz-Dorniak J, Strzelczyk J, Bałdys-Waligórska A, Bednarczuk T, Bolanowski M et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2017)
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      Gastroduodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms including gastrinoma - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Rydzewska G, Cichocki A, Ćwikła JB, Foltyn W, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Kamiński G et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2013)
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      Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the small intestine and the appendix - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Bolanowski M, Bednarczuk T, Bobek-Billewicz B, Handkiewicz-Junak D, Jeziorski A, Nowakowska-Duława E et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2013)
    20. [20]
      Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Kos-Kudła B, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Kuśnierz K, Lampe P, Marek B, Nasierowska-Guttmejer A et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2013)
    21. [21]
      Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).Kos-Kudła B, Blicharz-Dorniak J, Handkiewicz-Junak D, Jarząb B, Jarząb M, Kunikowska J et al. Endokrynologia Polska (2013)
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      Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung. A 10 year perspective of their classification.Warren WH, Gould VE Zentralblatt fur Pathologie (1993)
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