Onkológia 4/2011

Neuroendocrine tumors: biopsy (pathological) classification and its clinical significance

The paper offers a review of recent state of knowledges related to the pathologic classification of neuroendocrine neoplasms of different tissues and organs, within the spectrum from neuroendocrine tumours (carcinoids) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas to mixed tumours with neuroendocrine and epithelial (carcinomatous) component. In addition, correlations of grading and staging systems of various approaches (of WHO and ENETS classifications, etc.) and an overview of s.c. minimal biopsy protocol depending on the character of the examined material are discussed. The main importance of the biopsy diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasms is represented by a clinically relevant identification of the neuroendocrine differentiation and distinction of neuroendocrine neoplasms from other tumorus with focal (partial) neuroendocrine differentiation.

Keywords: neuroendocrine neoplasm, neuroendocrine tumour, neuroendocrine carcinoma, grading and staging of neuroendocrine tumours.