Retrospective analysis of seventy-one patients with neuroendocrine tumor and review of the literature

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare, but their incidence is gradually increasing. In this study, demographical and tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, responses, and survival rates were evaluated in the patients with NET. Seventy-one patients with NET from 3 tertiary care centers evaluated retrospectively. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-free survival rates were estimated by Kaplan–Meier Method. Male/female ratio was 0.86 (33/38). Median age was 52 years. Rates for family cancer history and goiter/thyroiditis were 22.4 and 17.8%, respectively. The most common primary site was lung (22.5%), in parallel with the literature, and 31% had the large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma histology. The second most common site was stomach. Carcinoid syndrome rate was found to be 30.6%. Half of the patients were in early stage at diagnosis. Surgical resection rate was 64.7, and 45% of the patient received chemotherapy (CT), 22% received radiotherapy. Seventy-six percent of resected patients had local disease. Thirty-two patients received CT for palliation or concurrent with radiotherapy or in adjuvant setting. Platin/etoposide combination was the most commonly used chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy response rate was 35.7%. Five patients had received somatostatin analogue. Radiotherapy was used in adjuvant setting in one-third of the patients. Median OS was 66 months, and median PFS was 30 months. Female gender and fifth decade seem to have higher risk. History for family cancer and goiter/thyroiditis was high in the patients with NET, though there is no data about an association between NET and thyroid disorders in the literature.