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Review
. 2017 Apr 16;9(4):153-161.
doi: 10.4253/wjge.v9.i4.153.

Non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Surgery or observation?

Affiliations
Review

Non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Surgery or observation?

Yehonatan Bar-Moshe et al. World J Gastrointest Endosc. .

Abstract

Incidentally detected, sporadic, nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are increasingly diagnosed on imaging studies performed for unrelated purposes. Although their resection is usually recommended, controversy still exists regarding their optimal management, due to their highly variable and difficult to predict biologic behavior. Recently, several studies and guidelines advocated an expectant management approach in small size, low grade, incidentally diagnosed nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of this study is to review and summarize the available literature addressing nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, with an emphasis on surgical management controversies.

Keywords: Incidental; Nonfunctional; Observation; Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors; Surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no financial or ethical conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Suggested algorithm for the management of small pancreatic mass. CgA: Chromogranin A; PP: Pancreatic polypeptide; VIP: Vasoactive intestinal peptide; NSE: Neuron-specific enolase; CT: Computed tomography; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; SRI: Somatostatin-receptor imaging; EUS: Endoscopic ultrasonography; IOUS: Intraoperatively ultrasonography; PET: Positron emission tomography; Ga68-DOTA-TATE/-TOC/-NOC: 68Gallium-DOTA-TATE, 68Gallium-DOTA-TOC68 and Gallium-DOTA-NOC respectively.

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