Survival analysis and prognostic factors for neuroendocrine tumors in Turkey

This study aimed to determine the demographical distribution, survival and prognostic factors for neuroendocrine tumors monitored in our clinic.

Data for 52 patients who were admitted to Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty Training Research and Practice Hospital Oncology Center between 2006 and 2012 and were diagnosed and treated for neuroendocrine tumors were investigated.

Of the total, 30 (58%) were females and 22 (42%) were males. The localization of the disease was gastroenteropancreatic in 29 (56%) patients and other sites in 23 (44%). The most frequently involved organ in the gastroenteropancreatic system was the stomach (n=10, 19%) and the most frequently involved organ in other regions was the lungs (n=10, 19%). No correlation was found between immunohistochemical staining for proteins such as chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and NSE and the grade of the tumor. The patients were followed-up at a median of 24 months (1-90 months). The three-year overall survival rate was 71%: 100% in stage I, 88% in stage II, 80% in stage III, and 40% in stage IV. The three-year survival rate was 78% in tumors localized in the gastroenteropancreatic region, and 54% in tumors localized in other organs. In the univariate analysis, gender, age, performance status of the patients, grade, localization, surgical treatment, and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (≤ 5 versus >5) affected the prognosis of the patients.

Most of the tumors were localized in the gastroenteropancreatic region, and the three-year survival rate in tumors localized in this region was better than the tumors localized in other sites. Surgical treatment was a positive independent prognostic factor, whereas Grade 3 and a neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio of >5 were negative independent prognostic factors.