Observational study of surgical resection in small non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: AS SEER-based

Jiajing Lin1, Heguang Huang2

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, #29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, People's Republic of China.

Scientific Reports
|August 7, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Surgical resection significantly improves overall survival for patients with small, non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs). This study recommends surgery for this patient group, highlighting its positive impact on long-term outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The survival benefits of surgical resection for small, non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) are not well-established.
  • Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms requiring careful treatment stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of surgical treatment on the overall survival (OS) of patients diagnosed with NF-PNETs.
  • To identify prognostic factors influencing survival in patients with PNETs.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1102 patients with well and moderately differentiated PNETs from the SEER database (2004-2015).
  • Utilized Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests, univariable Cox models, inverse probability weighting, and propensity-score matching.
  • Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of survival.

Main Results:

  • Surgical intervention was performed in 87% of the cohort, significantly prolonging overall survival (Univariate HR=0.41, P<0.001; Multivariate HR=0.53, P=0.007).
  • Older age (HR=3.52, P<0.001) and male gender (HR=1.73, P=0.009) were associated with decreased survival.
  • Propensity-score matching and inverse probability weighting confirmed the survival benefit of surgery (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Surgical resection is associated with significantly improved overall survival in patients with small, non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
  • Age and male gender are independent predictors of reduced survival in PNET patients.
  • Surgical intervention should be strongly considered for patients diagnosed with NF-PNETs.

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