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Review
. 2024 Sep;26(9):1070-1084.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-024-01559-w. Epub 2024 Jun 13.

Current Management of Neuroendocrine Tumour Liver Metastases

Affiliations
Review

Current Management of Neuroendocrine Tumour Liver Metastases

Aditya Sharma et al. Curr Oncol Rep. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This article aims to illustrate the current state of investigations and management of liver metastases in patients with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rising in incidence globally and have become the second most prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy in UK and USA. Frequently, patients have metastatic disease at time of presentation. The liver is the most common site of metastases for gastro-enteropancreatic NETs. Characterisation of liver metastases with imaging is important to ensure disease is not under-staged.

Recent findings: Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography are now becoming standard of care for imaging liver metastases. There is an increasing armamentarium of therapies available for management of NETs and loco-regional therapy for liver metastases. The data supporting surgical and loco-regional therapy is reviewed with focus on role of liver transplantation. It is important to use appropriate imaging and classification of NET liver metastases. It is key that decisions regarding approach to treatment is undertaken in a multidisciplinary team and that individualised approaches are considered for management of patients with metastatic NETs.

Keywords: Embolisation; Liver Metastases; Liver Resection; Liver Transplantation; MRI Scans; Neuroendocrine Tumour; PET Imaging.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The proposed algorithm for approach to management of liver metastases. PTR = primary tumour resection; NET = neuroendocrine tumour. *Can consider liver resection if small extra-hepatic disease may be resected at time of surgery or other small sites of disease not felt to have significant impact on long term survival

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