Journal Article

Recent Updates on Neuroendocrine Tumors From the Gastrointestinal and Pancreatobiliary Tracts

Kim, Joo Young, Hong, Seung-Mo

2016

Overview

Context.—Gastrointestinal (GI) and pancreatobiliary tracts contain a variety of neuroendocrine cells that constitute a diffuse endocrine system. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) from these organs are heterogeneous tumors with diverse clinical behaviors. Recent improvements in the understanding of NETs from the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts have led to more-refined definitions of the clinicopathologic characteristics of these tumors. Under the 2010 World Health Organization classification scheme, NETs are classified as grade (G) 1 NETs, G2 NETs, neuroendocrine carcinomas, and mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas. Histologic grades are dependent on mitotic counts and the Ki-67 labeling index. Several new issues arose after implementation of the 2010 World Health Organization classification scheme, such as issues with well-differentiated NETs with G3 Ki-67 labeling index and the evaluation of mitotic counts and Ki-67 labeling. Hereditary syndromes, including multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, neurofibromatosis 1, and tuberous sclerosis, are related to NETs of the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts. Several prognostic markers of GI and pancreatobiliary tract NETs have been introduced, but many of them require further validation. Objective.—To understand clinicopathologic characteristics of NETs from the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts. Data Sources.—PubMed (US National Library of Medicine) reports were reviewed. Conclusions.—In this review, we briefly summarize recent developments and issues related to NETs of the GI and pancreatobiliary tracts.

• Publisher: College of American Pathologists
• Subject: Biliary Tract - metabolism / Biliary Tract - pathology / Biliary Tract Neoplasms - diagnosis / Biliary Tract Neoplasms - metabolism / Biliary Tract Neoplasms - pathology / Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism / Cancer / Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - diagnosis / Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - metabolism / Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - pathology / Diagnosis, Differential / Education, Medical, Continuing / Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - diagnosis / Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - metabolism / Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - pathology / Gastrointestinal Tract - metabolism / Gastrointestinal Tract - pathology / Humans / Mitotic Index / Mixed Tumor, Malignant - diagnosis / Mixed Tumor, Malignant - metabolism / Mixed Tumor, Malignant - pathology / Neoplasm Grading / Neoplasm Staging / Neuroendocrine Cells - metabolism / Neuroendocrine Cells - pathology / Neuroendocrine tumors / Neuroendocrine Tumors - diagnosis / Neuroendocrine Tumors - metabolism / Neuroendocrine Tumors - pathology / Pancreas - metabolism / Pancreas - pathology / Pancreatic Neoplasms - diagnosis / Pancreatic Neoplasms - metabolism / Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology / Pathology, Clinical - education / Pathology, Clinical - manpower / Pathology, Clinical - methods / Pathology, Clinical - trends / Practice Guidelines as Topic / Prognosis / Tuberous sclerosis / World Health Organization