Small bowel neuroendocrine tumors: A critical analysis of diagnostic work-up and operative approach

Small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SB-NETs) are often small, multifocal, difficult to localize preoperatively, and can be overlooked during operative exploration. The optimal work-up and operative approach is unknown.

Patients who underwent resection of SB-NETs at a single-institution from 2000 to 2014 were included. Primary aim was to describe the diagnostic work-up and compare minimally invasive (MIS) to open resection.

Ninety-three patients underwent resection for SB-NETs. About 71% were symptomatic and on average underwent three diagnostic tests: 45% had octreoscans (85% diagnostic yield); 11% had SB-enteroscopy (10% yield); 19% had capsule endoscopy (83% yield, but identified the correct tumor number in only 21%). About 27 pts underwent MIS versus 66 open. MIS pts were younger (56 vs. 61 yrs; P = 0.035), and less likely to have obstruction (4% vs. 24%; P = 0.019) and metastases (19% vs. 44%; P = 0.038). Compared to open, MIS had smaller (1.7 vs. 2.4 cm; P = 0.03) and fewer tumors resected (2 vs. 5; P = 0.049), but similar LN yield (13 vs. 12; P = 0.7). In non-metastatic, curative-intent resections, MIS still resected fewer tumors compared to open (1.5 vs. 4; P = 0.034).

Capsule endoscopy may be better than small bowel enteroscopy at identifying occult SB-NETs, but may underestimate tumor burden. While MIS may be appropriate in select patients, recognizing the limitations of preoperative evaluation is critical for these tumors, as heightened operative vigilance is often required. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:671-676. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.