2. Introduction to NETs
NETs arise from cells which produce and secrete hormones
Most NETs are slow growing and malignant, with metastatic
potential
Carcinoid, APUDomas
Common sites of origin are:
GI tract
Lungs
Pancreas
Burns WR, Edil BH (March 2012). "Neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors: guidelines for management and update". Current Treatment Options in Oncology.
13 (1): 24–34. PMID 22198808
3. Pancreatic NETs Overview
PNETs are rare, slow-growing
neoplasms
Symptoms from excess
hormone production or
mechanical problems
7% of all NETs are found in
pancreas
1-2% of all pancreatic tumors
Historically – islet cell tumors
Amin, Mahul B., ed. (2017). "30 - Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas". AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (8 ed.). Springer. pp. 415–416. ISBN 978-3-319-
40617-6.
4. ORIGIN
Debated
Arise from pluripotent
stem cells in pancreatic
ductal acinar system
and not from
pancreatic islet
themselves
Schimmack S, et al: The diversity and commonalities of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, Langenbecks Arch Surg 396:273– 298, 2011.
5. Epidemiology
Incidence rate of 0.4 cases per 100,000
Incidence is increasing
Males = Females
Age – 60 – 80 years
5% familial association – MEN1, VHL, TS, NF1
Tend to be diagnosed at a younger age
Family history is the only identified risk factor
Fraenkel M, et al: Epidemiology of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 26:691–703, 2012.
6. Potential Reasons for Increased
Incidence and Prevalence in PNET
• 0.17-0.43 cases / 100,000
• Exact reasons are unknown but may include:
– Potential underdiagnoses and underreporting in the past
– Improved diagnostic techniques
– Increased awareness of NET in the community
Fraenkel M, et al: Epidemiology of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 26:691–
703, 2012.
8. Well circumscribed solitary masses
Majority are well differentiated
Potential to grow & metastasise > malignant
Likelihood of metastatic spread is very low , benign has been used as
a classification variable
Malignant- invades locoregionally, has metastasised distantly or to
regional lymph nodes, greater than 2 cms insize, displays vascular,
lymphatic or neural invasion or has proliferative tndex of greater than
2 %
Klöppel G, et al: The gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine cell system and its tumors: the WHO classification, Ann N Y Acad Sci 1014:13–27, 2004.
11. Ki-67
Antigen KI-67 also known as Ki-67
or MKI67 is a protein that in
humans is encoded by the MKI67
gene
Ki derived from the city of
discovery – Kiel, Germany.
Associated with cell replication
and ribosomal RNA transcription.
Present during all active phases of
cell cycle
Absent from resting cell – G0
14. Classification Based on
Functional Activity
Functioning Non-functioning
PNETs may or may not have secretory symptoms
Secretory symptoms related to specific hormones
Tumors (nonfunctional) may secrete peptides but cause no
clinical symptoms
15. Non-functional PNETs
Most PNETs ~75%
Often found incidentally
Symptoms relate to tumor’s mass effect – abd pain,
vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, pancreatitis
Tend to be larger than other PNETs
Nodes involved at time of diagnosis
18. Systematic Approach to
Diagnosing NET Is Needed
History and physical exam
Biochemical markers (serum, tissue, urine)
Specific tests
Imaging
Computed tomography scan (CT)/ Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Nuclear Imaging
Endoscopic ultrasound
19. Insulinoma
1-2% of all pancreatic tumors
Small <2cms
Solitary
Rarely malignant
5 year OS- 56%, 10 year OS -
29%
Baudin E, et al: Malignant insulinoma: recommendations for characterisation and treatment, Ann
Endocrinol (Paris) 74:523–533, 2013.
Okabayashi T, et al: Diagnosis and management of insulinoma, World
J Gastroenterol 19:829–837, 2013.
20. Diagnosis
Whipple’s Triad
plasma glucose- 40-50mg/dl
Fasting induced Neuroglycopenic symptoms of
hypoglycaemia
Resolution of symptoms after meals
Plasma gluose, insulin,
Proinsulin and C-Peptide over 72 hour fast
This panel can detect 90%
Ito T, et al: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: clinical features, diagnosis and medical treatment:
advances, Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 26:737–753, 2012.
21. Gastrinoma
1955, Zollinger and colleagues
Sporadic- 67%, familial- 33%
Mostly solitary
60% malignant- spread to regional lymph nodes by time
of diagnosis
^ gastrin -> recurrent peptic ulcers, diarrhoea, reflux
esophagitis.
Diagnosis-
Thickened mucosal folds – hallmark
Demonstration of hypergastrinemia – fasting serum gastrin
levels (10 times)
Abnormal gasric acid secretion- gastric pH <2
Secretin or glucagon stimulation test
Zollinger RM, et al: Primary peptic ulcerations of the jejunum associated with islet cell tumors of the pancreas, Ann Surg 142:709–723, 1955.
Anlauf M, et al: Sporadic versus hereditary gastrinomas of the duodenum and pancreas: distinct clinico-pathological and epidemiological
features, World J Gastroenterol 12:5440–5446, 2006.
22. Gastrinoma triangle
Apex- junction of
cystic duct and CBD
INF- 2nd and 3rd
part of duodenum
MEDIAL- jn of head
and body of
pancreas
90% of gastrinomas lie
in this anatomic
location
Howard TJ, et al: Anatomic distribution of pancreatic endocrine tumors.
Am J Surg 159:258-264, 1990
23. Glucagonoma
~400 cases
Large size >6cms
Solitary
Symptoms- glucose intolerance, migratory necrolytic
erythema, weight loss
Diagnosis- elevated glucagon levels + enhancing
pancreatic mass on CT
~60% will have liver mets at diagnosis(Kulke et al)
Case series of 23 gluganomas – 5 yr survival was 75%
(regardless of treatment)
Kulke MH, et al: Neuroendocrine tumors, version 1.2015: clinical practice guidelines in oncology, J Natl Compr Canc Netw 13:78–108, 2015.
Kindmark H, et al: Endocrine pancreatic tumors with glucagon hypersecretion: a retrospective study of 23 cases during 20 years, Med Oncol 24:330–337, 2007
24. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
secreting neuroendocrine tumor
Solittary, intrapancreatic tumor
>50% malignant
VIP – neurotransmitter & intestinal secretagogue
“pancreatic cholera” Verner-Morrison syndrome
Symptoms – high volume watery diarrhoea leading to
metabolic acidosis
Achlorhydria
Hypokalemia
Diagnosis – elevated plasma VIP, pancreatic tumor on
imaging
Renal failure
secondary to
hypovolemia
Verner JV, et al: Islet cell tumor and a syndrome of refractory watery diarrhea and hypokalemia, Am J Med 25:374–380, 1958.
Fabian E, et al: Diarrhea caused by circulating agents, Gastroenterol Clin North Am 41:603–610, 2012.
25. Somatostatinoma
Less defined clinical syndrome than other PNETs
Symptoms – glucose intolerance, cholelithiasis, weight
loss, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, anemia
Located in the pancreas (56%) or duodenum
Duodenal Ssomas are associated with NF-1 in 50% of
cases
Less likely to be malignant
Nesi G, et al: Somatostatinoma: clinico-pathological features of three cases and literature reviewed, J Gastroenterol Hepatol 23:521–526, 2008.
Williamson JM, et al: Pancreatic and peripancreatic somatostatinomas, Ann R Coll Surg Engl 93:356–360, 2011.
26. Pancreatic Polypeptide- secreting
neuroendocrine tumor
PNETs predominantly secreting PP- extremely rare
Functional/non-functional – debated
No specific syndrome
Intermittent abdominal pain, pancreatitis, may develop
glucose intolerance
MEN-1 – multifocal and malignant
Fasting PP levels > 3 times -> presence of PNET and it
will likely be large enough to be detected on ct
Kuo SC, et al: Sporadic pancreatic polypeptide secreting tumors (PPomas) of the pancreas, World J Surg 32:1815–1822, 2008.
Mutch MG, et al: Pancreatic polypeptide is a useful plasma marker for radiographically evident pancreatic islet cell tumors in patients with multiple endocrine
neoplasia type 1, Surgery 122:1012–1020, 1997
27. Biochemical Assessment and Monitoring
for PNETS
1. Chromogranin A(CgA)- correlate with tumor burden
CgA can be used as a marker in patients with both functional
and non-functional pancreatic endocrine tumors
Decreses post treatment – favourable outcomes
Rising levels may suggest recurrent or progressive disease
2. Pancreatic polypeptide- where CgA is negative
3. Pancreastatin (PST)- post translational product of CgA.
More powerful prognostic test in surgically managed PNET.
Pts with elevated PST pre and post-op- 90% chance of
progression and 40% risk of death within 5 years.
4. Neurokinin A & Synaptophysin more diagnostic and less
prognostic.
29. CECT
valuable for
primary/regional/metastatic
80-100% sensitive for tumors >
2cms
Capturing the vascular blush in
the arterial phase is critical for
identification and differentiation
More sensitive for liver mets
Both PNET and their metastasis tend
to be hypervascular and best seen in
arterial phase.
Arterial phase of a contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showing an early
enhancing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in the head and uncinate process of the pancreas
(white arrow), with a necrotic node medially (red arrow).
Van Hoe L, Gryspeerdt S, Marchal G, et al: Helical CT for the preoperative localization of islet cell tumors of the pancreas: Value
of arterial and parenchymal phase images. AJR Am J Roentgenol 165:1437–1439, 1995.
30. Arteriographic demonstration of an insulinoma. A, Selective injection into
the specific dorsal pancreatic artery demonstrates the tumor precisely. B,
Insulinoma with triphasic enhancement on CT. The mass in the pancreatic
body (arrow) demonstrates early and prolonged enhancement
(A from Edis AJ, McIlrath DC, Ven Heerden JA, et al: Insulinoma: Current diagnosis and surgical management. Curr Prob Surg 13:1–45, 1976; B from Ros PR, Mortelé KJ:
Imaging features of pancreatic neoplasms. JBR-BTR 84:239–249, 2001.)
31. MRI
Second line
Superior delineation of hepatic metastasis is required
Renal failure
Hypo intense (low signal intensity) on T1
Hyper intense (high signal intensity) on T2
In one large series of insulinomas, contrast-enhanced MRI identified
all lesions larger than 3 cm, 50% of lesions 1 to 2 cm, and no lesions
smaller than 1 cm.
Overall sensitivity for PNET 85%
Thoeni RF, Mueller-Lisse UG, Chan R, et al: Detection of small, functional islet cell tumors in the pancreas: Selection of MR imaging sequences for optimal
sensitivity. Radiology 214:483– 490, 2000.
Boukhman MP, Karam JM, Shaver J, et al: Localization of insulinomas. Arch Surg 134:818–822; discussion 822–
813, 1999.
32. Endoscopic Ultrasound
Overall sensitivity of 93%
High sensitivity for small
tumors less than 3cms
More in head region
Allows FNAC for pathologic
diagnosis
FNAC accuracy – 90%
Muller MF, Meyenberger C, Bertschinger P, et al: Pancreatic tumors: evaluation with endoscopic US, CT, and MR imaging. Radiology 190:745–751, 1994.
Proye C, Malvaux P, Pattou F, et al: Noninvasive imaging of insulinomas and gastrinomas with endoscopic ultrasonography and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Surgery
124:1134–1143; discussion 1143–1134, 1998.
33. Nuclear imaging
Somatostatin receptor
scintigraphy
Diagnosis and Surveillance
To determine if pt will
benefit from PRRT
SSTR 1-5
Most common SSTR2 – well
deferentiated NET
OctreoScan
Radiotracer indium-111-
DPTA-octreotide
SPECT + OctreoScan
68Ga-PETCT / DOTATOC
Gallium-68
DOTATOC - 68Ga-DOTA-
Tyr(3)-octreotide
DOTANOC
DOTATATE
Variation in ligand affinity
for SSTR subtypes but not
clinically significant
Superior to conventional
imaging
34. Comparison of CT, MRI , and
SRS in a patient with Zollinger-
Ellison syndrome. Neither the
CT scan (top) nor MRI (middle)
localized a gastrinoma. SRS ,
however, showed a focus in the
left lobe of the liver.
36. Localisation of insulinoma
Arterial stimulation venous sampling (94-100%)
calcium is injected successively into gastroduodenal,
proximal splenic, superior mesenteric and proper hepaic
arteries
After each injection, venous blood is sampled from
hepatic veins at 30, 60 and 120 seconds.
Positive localisation corresponds to 2 fold increase
hepatic vein insulin levels
38. Indications for Surgery
1. Functional, symptomatic
2. Isolated , G1 and G2 PNET greater than 2 cms
3. Patients with metastatic disease where all visible mets
can be resected
4. Palliative resection and hepatic debulking may be
considered for those pts with symptomatic advanced
disease when liver is the only focus of distant
metastasis
~80% of liver mets are resectable
39. Small, Non-functional PNET
Serial imaging -> progression
Lee and colleagues(2012), compared patients with non
functional PNET
Non-operatively(77) – no change in tumor size
Resection(56) – 9% had positive nodes (2.4cms)
Kuo and colleagues(2013) 27.3% nodal mets and 9.1%
distant mets – reasonable number to offer patients
curative surgery
NCDB – improved OS >5 years with resection
2017 BJS – active surveillance of patients affected by
sporadic, small, asymptomatic NF-PNETs may…
40. Enucleation
Limited procedure
Low complication rates
Better results than radical procedures in terms of blood
loss, length of surgery, less panc. Insufficiency
Laparotomy/laparoscopically
46. Management of metastatic
disease
Lymph node mets are associated with increased recurrence.
Recent studies suggest that a more aggressive approach may
benefit
Hepatic metastasis- surgical debulking of hepatic disease is
prudent, in whom 80-90% reduction of metastatic disease is
made. Formal segmental resection is gold standard
Other techniques – radiofrequency/microwave ablation, hepatic
artery embolization (<5cm)
Liver transplant – 5 yr survival – 68%
Predictor of poor outcome- location of primary in pancreas or
duodenum, need for upper abd exentration and hepatomegaly
Tsutsumi K, et al: Analysis of lymph node metastasis in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) based on the tumor size and
hormonal production, J Gastroenterol 47:678–685, 2012.
Hashim YM, et al: Regional lymphadenectomy is indicated in the surgical treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
(PNETs), Ann Surg 259:197–203, 2014.
47. Non surgical management
Goal – improve quality of life, extend survival
Insulinoma – diazoxide(200-600mg/day)
ZES – PPI – titrated to effect
Somatostatin based analogues – first line for nf met
Octreotide
Lanreotide
Peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy- approved only in Europe
Systemic chemotherapy –
CAPTEM- Capecitabine temozolomide
Grade 3 – cisplatin + etoposide
Biologic therapies –mTOR inhibitors – EVEROLIMUS
RADIANT-3 trial – tumor shrinkage - 68%
Sunitinib
NETs arise from cells of the neuroendocrine system, which produce and secrete regulatory hormones.
Most NETs are slow growing and malignant, with metastatic potential.
The exception is insulinomas, which are usually benign.
These cella show A- amine P- precursor (l-dopa, 5-hydroxyl tryptophan) U-uptake & D-decarboxylation
To produce biogenic amines such as catecholamines ana serotonin.
NETs can arise nearly anywhere in the body, although the most common sites of origin are the-
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the small intestine, rectum, large bowel, stomach, appendix, and liver
Lungs
Pancreas
Pancreatic NETS (PNETs) are rare and usually slow-growing neoplasms, with symptoms resulting from excess hormone production or mechanical problems secondary to tumor bulk.
7% of all NETs are found in the pancreas
Until the ….
Cellular origin has been debated
It is slikely that these tumors arise from pluripotent stem cells in the pancreatic ductal acinar system and not from pancreatic islet themselves
The incidence rate of pNETs in the US is about 0.4 cases per 100,000 persons.
Incidence is thought to be increasing over the past 3 decades.
Von hippel-landau, tuberous sclerosis
Cigarette, dm, chronic pancreatitis, obesity
The incidence has been rising in the last three decades.
This might be due to greater awareness, improved diagnostic capabilities, improved reporting to registries, or a change in nomenclature from carcinoid.
With new successful treatments to control or slow the progression of the disease, the prevalence of cancer will increase.
Mostly Well circumscribed solitary masses that can occur anywhere in the pancreas.
All pnets have potential to grow and eventually metastasise, because of this these tumors are considered malignant.
Because the Likelihood of metastatic spread is so very low in subsets of patients with pnets, benign has been used as a classification variable
Grading is determined by ki-67 and mitotic index.
Mitotic index is expressed as number of mitotic figures per 10 hpf and it is recommended that atleast 40-50 hpf must be examined.
Antigen KI-67 is a nuclear protein that is associated with and may be necessary for cellular proliferation. Furthermore, it is associated with ribosomal RNA transcription.
Inactivation of antigen KI-67 leads to inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis.
During interphase, the Ki-67 antigen can be exclusively detected within the cell nucleus, whereas in mitosis most of the protein is relocated to the surface of the chromosomes.
Ki-67 protein is present during all active phases of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2, and mitosis), but is absent from resting cells (G0).[8] Cellular content of Ki-67 protein markedly increases during cell progression through S phase of the cell cycle.[9]
T3- without involving celiac axis or sma
PNETs may or may not have secretory symptoms.
Secretory symptoms are related to the specific hormone released.
Tumors without secretory symptoms (nonfunctional) may still secrete peptides; however, they cause no specific clinical symptom. Presence of symptoms is due to the tumor bulk.
Tumors without secretory symptoms are not associated with a hormonal syndrome. Because of this, they may be present as an incidental finding at surgery or be detected radiographically when investigating for nonspecific abdominal pain.
Patients usually present late in the disease course with large primary malignancies or advanced disease.
Symptoms are due to tumor growth or spread.
Abdominal pain
Jaundice
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Weight loss
There are several subtypes of pNETs. These are dependent on which islet cell type gets differentiated from the pleuripotent cells and consequently, which hormone is over-produced.
A good history and physical examinations is important to the diagnosis of NET.
Characteristic symptoms are present in 8% to 35% of metastatic NET and include dry flushing, cramps, nocturnal diarrhea, erythematous to purplish skin, telangiectasias, hepatomegaly, cardiac murmurs, edema, hypoglycemia, confusion, dyspepsia, and GI bleeding.
Lab tests for biochemical markers should include:
Serum
CgA and other biomarkers as appropriate for symptoms (eg, if glucagonoma is suspected, glucagon levels should be tested)
Tissue
Once a biopsy is performed, the specimen should be stained for Ki-67, CgA, synaptophisin, and neuron specific enolase
Urine
5-HIAA if patient has symptoms consistent with carcinoid syndrome
Imaging
Should include CT scan with contrast or MRI
Nuclear imaging with Octreoscan and PET scan
Endoscopic ultrasound is useful for diagnosing pNET
Most common pnet
Multiple in MEN1.
Intra-pancreatic and cause hypoglycaemia.
Critical part of diagnosis includes establishment of whipple triad
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia - diaphoresis, shaking, mental confusion, obtundation, and seizures
Whipple’s triad can be emulated by other entities, including surreptitious administration of insulin or sulfonylurea compounds
72 hour fast- two reasons; the first is to prevent life-threatening hypoglycemia and the
second is to rule out the possibility of factitious hypoglycemia
as a result of exogenous insulin administration
First published case series dealing with clinical course of 2 patients
The syndrome would be named after these authors and the tumors would eventually be known as gastrinomas
In familial MEN1 – small multiple and mostly found in duodeum
Migratory rash is often the first manifestation, tends to start in perineum and extends to trunk and extrimities
Blood tests
Patients with normalised PST post-operatively have low risk of death
Usg has no role
Once the diagnosis of functional pnet is made
Cect as cross sectional imaging – first line imaging tool for localisation
less sensitive than Endoscopic ultrasound in detection smaller lesions
These lesions will washout in venous and delayed phases.
Another note
Eus should be performed if unable to localize on ct/mri
Not yet been approved in us
Peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy
High frequency probe – 7.5 – 10 mhz
Nonfunctional >2 cms should be resected
Smaller non functional tumors resection is debatable
Ncdb – national cancer database
There are no guidelines on number of lymph nodes that should be sampled or requirement that formal lymphadenectomy be performed in pnet pts.
Because most patients presenting with liver mets have large and multiple lesions – hepatic artery embolic therapy remains more rational approach
High grade disease that are not candidates for surgical resection
Studies have shown stable disease/progression free survival
with somatostatin based analogues 60%
PRRT –combines sstn analogues to radioactive elements – beta particles
Suniti – vegf inhibitor