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Application of End-to-end Anastomosis in Robotic Central Pancreatectomy
Published on: June 2, 2018
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
Irvin M Modlin1, Kjell Oberg, Daniel C Chung
1Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8062, USA. imodlin@optonline.net
The Lancet. Oncology
|January 8, 2008
Summary
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NETs) are rare, complex cancers. Improved understanding of GEP NET biology and dedicated research centers are crucial for advancing patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NETs) are rare neoplasms presenting significant clinical challenges.
- These tumors often remain asymptomatic until advanced stages, causing mass effects or distinct syndromes like carcinoid syndrome.
- Current management is individualized, involving surgery, radiological interventions, chemotherapy, and somatostatin analogues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the challenges in managing GEP NETs.
- To emphasize the need for improved understanding of GEP NET biology and molecular genetics.
- To advocate for the development of centers of excellence for coordinated research and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current management strategies for GEP NETs.
- Discussion of limitations in clinical trials and research due to tumor rarity and heterogeneity.
- Identification of areas for future research, including molecular genetics, biomarkers, and treatment refinement.
Main Results:
- Limited survival increase over the past 30 years due to complexity and rarity of GEP NETs.
- Paucity of relevant randomized trials hinders treatment comparison and progress.
- Current treatments include surgery, radiological intervention, chemotherapy, and somatostatin analogues, with new agents under investigation.
Conclusions:
- A deeper understanding of GEP NET molecular genetics and disease modeling is essential for improving patient outcomes.
- Development of reliable serum markers, improved imaging, and prognostic histological grading systems are needed.
- Establishing centers of excellence with dedicated multidisciplinary teams is critical for coordinating multicenter studies and advancing targeted therapeutics.
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