NON-FUNCTIONING SPORADIC PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOR IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR RECURRENCE AFTER SURGICAL...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare, heterogeneous neoplasms with increasing incidence.
• Non-functioning PNETs (NF-PNETs) constitute up to 80% of cases, often diagnosed via advanced imaging.
• Prognostic factors for PNET recurrence post-surgery remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prognostic risk factors and evaluate outcomes in surgically treated patients with sporadic PNETs.
• To determine the impact of tumor characteristics on disease recurrence.
• To inform clinical management and follow-up strategies for PNET patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 113 patients with sporadic PNETs who underwent pancreatic resection.
• Data collection from medical records, including tumor type, grade, size, and patient demographics.
• Statistical analysis (univariate and multivariate) to identify independent prognostic factors for recurrence.

Main Results:

• NF-PNETs were identified as an independent prognostic risk factor for disease recurrence.
• Insulinomas were associated with younger patients, lower comorbidity burden, smaller tumors, and lower recurrence rates compared to other PNET types.
• Univariate analysis indicated age, tumor type, tumor size, and TNM staging as potential recurrence risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Non-functioning PNETs represent a significant independent risk factor for tumor recurrence.
• Findings support enhanced surveillance for patients with small tumors, particularly those managed conservatively.
• Further research into PNET heterogeneity and prognostic markers is warranted.