Related Experiment Videos
Surgical experience with functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Brent D Matthews1, Trina I Smith, Kent W Kercher
1Department of General Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203, USA.
The American Surgeon
|September 11, 2002
Summary
Surgery for functioning pancreatic islet-cell tumors (ICTs) offers significant symptomatic improvement in most patients. This study highlights surgical outcomes, demonstrating high success rates for both curative and palliative interventions in rare endocrine neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Pancreatic islet-cell tumors (ICTs) are rare malignancies.
- They are often identified by specific clinical endocrinopathies.
- Surgical management is key for these tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate surgical experience with functioning pancreatic ICTs.
- To assess outcomes in an academic referral center.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 20 patients undergoing surgery for functioning pancreatic ICTs (June 1975-March 2001).
- Tumor types included gastrinoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma, and VIPoma.
- Surgical approaches included curative resection and palliative procedures.
Main Results:
- 95% of patients presented with hormonal excess symptoms.
- 80% underwent attempted curative resection; 20% had palliative procedures.
- Overall 30-day morbidity was 30%, with 0% mortality.
- 90% achieved symptomatic improvement; long-term survival was favorable for both resection groups.
Conclusions:
- Functioning pancreatic ICTs cause distinct clinical syndromes.
- Surgery provides significant symptomatic improvement for most patients.
- Short-term palliation is achievable for unresectable disease.