Comparison of phenotypes and outcomes following resection of incidental versus symptomatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Scientific Publication

Abstract

Background/Aim

Fifty to 70 percent of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are diagnosed incidentally. The objective of this study is to compare the phenotype and oncological outcomes of incidental versus symptomatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted identifying all incidental and symptomatic tumors resected between 2000 and 2019. Baseline characteristics, symptoms, operative variables and pathological stage were all recorded. In both groups, patterns of recurrence and overall and disease-free survival were analyzed.

Results

Fifty-one incidental and 45 symptomatic pancreatic tumor resections were performed. Symptomatic tumors were more frequent in women (29 vs 17; p=0.005), in younger patients (median years; 50 vs 58; p=0.012) and were detected at a more advanced stage (p=0.027). There were no differences in location and most resections (n= 49; 51%) were performed laparoscopically.

There were no operative mortalities and 17 (17.7%) severe complications (≥IIIb on the Clavien-Dindo classification) were recorded with no differences between the two groups. With a median follow-up of 64.4 months (range 13.5 - 90), overall survival at 5 and 10 years was 89.7% and 72.8% for the non-incidental tumors, and 80.9% and 54.6% for the incidental tumors (p=ns). Disease-free survival in both groups (excluding M1a) was 71.2% and 47.5%, and 93.7% and 78.1%, respectively (p= ns).

Conclusions

Symptomatic tumors are more frequent in women and present at higher pathological stages. There were no significant differences in overall and disease-free survival between the two groups. Resection of incidental tumors ≥1.5 - 2 cm seems advisable, although each case should assessed on an individual basis.

CITATION  Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2022 Jun;114(6):317-322.
doi: 10.17235/reed.2021.8096/2021.