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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery

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01-03-2010 | Original Article

Non-functional Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Pancreas: Incidence, Tumor Biology, and Outcomes in 2,158 Patients

Authors: Jan Franko, Wentao Feng, Linwah Yip, Elizabeth Genovese, A. James Moser

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 3/2010

Abstract

Objective

Pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer is a rare, indolent malignancy with no effective systemic therapy currently available. This population-based analysis evaluated the hypothesis that long-term survival benefit is greater with aggressive, rather than limited, surgical therapy.

Methods

Non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (NF-pNEC) cases diagnosed from 1973 to 2004 were retrieved from the SEER database.

Results

A total of 2,158 patients with NF-pNEC were identified, representing 2% of all pancreatic malignancies. The annual incidence increased from 1.4 to 3.0 per million during the study period. On average, tumors measured 59 ± 35 mm (median 50), and age at diagnosis was 59 ± 15 years; 29% of patients were younger than 50. Nodal (44%) and systemic metastases (60%) were common. Overall the 5-, 10-, and 20-year survival rates were 33%, 17%, and 10%, respectively. Removal of the primary tumor significantly prolonged survival in the entire cohort (median 1.2 vs. 8.4 years; p < 0.001) and among those with metastases (median 1.0 vs. 4.8 years; p < 0.001). No survival difference was seen between enucleation and resection of the primary tumor (median 10.2 versus 9.2 years, p = 0.456).

Conclusion

This study suggests that surgical therapy improves survival among patients with localized, as well as metastatic, NF-pNEC. Enucleation may be oncologically equivalent to resection.

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Title: Non-functional Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Pancreas: Incidence, Tumor Biology, and Outcomes in 2,158 Patients
Authors: Jan Franko
Wentao Feng
Linwah Yip
Elizabeth Genovese
A. James Moser
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-1115-0

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Non-functional Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Pancreas: Incidence, Tumor Biology, and Outcomes in 2,158 Patients

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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