[Diagnostic analysis for 52 cases of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumor]

To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatments and prognosis for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs).

Clincal data of 52 patients, who were diagnosed as GI-NETs between January 2004 and October 2014, were reviewed. The patients were divided into a local excision group (n=21) and a transabdominal excision group (n=30), and the major clinical features, treatment modalities and outcomes were analyzed.

The clinical features of GI-NETs were nonspecific, and most of the clinical manifestation were local invasiveness. CT scan was lack of specific findings. GI-NETs greater than 1 cm often showed local incrassation, upheaval and soft tissue shadow. In the case of lager GI-NETs, necrosis and moderate enhancement could be seen. Positive ratio for expression of chromogranin A (CgA) and synaptophysin (Syn) in the 52 cases of specimen were 63.5% and 88.5%, respectively. Except 1 patient, whose surgery was canceled because of poor health, other 51 patients were treated with surgery through different approaches. Among them, 30 cases were transabdominal resection (57.7%) and 21 were local resection (40.4%). Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy was only applied for 7 patients. After a follow-up of 40 (3-132) months, 7 patients died, the rest were alive. The median survival in the local resection group and the transabdominal resection group was 43.0 and 39.5 months, respectively (P>0.05).

Under the condition of fully understanding the biological characteristics of GI-NETs, early diagnosis and timely personalized treatment is hopeful to reach the relative good prognosis and survival.