Onkológia 5/2021

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the digestive tract

Groupe of neuroendocrine tumors derived from gastrointestinal tract cells, including the pancreas, is called gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NET). According to hormonal activity, we divide GEP NET into functional producing hormonally active substances and non-functional without their production. The incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) is constantly increasing. A new World Health Organization (WHO) classification from 2019 divides NEN into well-differentiated NETs, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasias. Of the functional NENs, insulinomas, gastrinomas and carcinoids are the most common. Significantly less often VIPomas, glucagonomas, somatostatinomas and PPomas are to be found. Non-functional NENs are usually manifested by local symptoms and may be found in the gastrointestinal tract including pancreas and liver. This article describes the characteristics, the most common localizations, different diagnostics and therapeutic approaches in both groups of NEN.

Keywords: neuroendocrine neoplasia, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, tumor, gastrin