Surgical Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pancNETs) are rare neoplasms that comprise 2% to 4% of all clinically detected pancreatic tumors. They are usually indolent, and their malignant potential is often underestimated. The management of this disease poses a challenge because of the heterogeneous clinical presentation and varying degree of aggressiveness. Treatment decisions for this clinical entity are still patient- and/or physician-specific. Optimal clinical management of pancNETs requires a multidisciplinary approach. The only potentially curative treatment option, especially in the early stage disease, remains surgical resection; however, as many as 75% of patients present with advanced disease (nodal and/or distant metastases).