Management of incidental pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: a case report with literature review
Erasmo Spaziani 1, Annalisa Romina Di Filippo 1, Martina Spaziani 2, Giovanni Traumueller Tamagnini 1, Piero Francioni 3, Nello Salesi 4, Marcello Picchio 5, Alessandro De Cesare 6
Affiliations
Article Info
1 Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Terracina, Italy
2 Unit of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
3 Department of Radiology, AUSL Latina, “A. Fiorini” Hospital, Terracina, Italy
4 Department of Oncology, Hospital “S. Maria Goretti”, Latina, Italy
5 Division of Surgery, ASL Roma 6, “P. Colombo” Hospital, Velletri, Italy
6 Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare and accounting for less than 5% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Their management depends on dimension of the lesion, main pancreatic duct (MPD) caliber, tumor malignancy features and evolutive potential. CASE REPORT: Incidental finding of a lesion 1.2 cm wide of the pancreatic body, after contrast enhanced total body CT, in a 71 years old obese Caucasian male (BMI>25), during follow-up for cutaneous melanoma. The lesion was confirmed by MRI and 68-Ga pancreatic scintigraphy. EUS showed a second hypoecogenic and hypovascularized lesion compatible with pancreatic tail PNET. After FNB, Ki-67 was below 3%. DISCUSSION: 68-Gallium PET-CT was the preferred technique for the staging of the neuroendocrine neoplasm, for treatment planning, for the localization of the pancreatic lesion, excluding the presence of unknown extra-pancreatic lesions. EUS-FNB is indicated in patient with suspicion of PNET, although further investigation is needed to include it as a routine diagnostic examination. CONCLUSION: Surgery is mandatory in case of PNETs larger than 2 cm, with MPD dilation, Ki-67>20% and compression symptoms.
Keywords
- Case report
- Management
- Neuro Endocrine
- NET
- Pancreatic Neuro Endocrine Tumor
- PNET
