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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Establishment and Characterization of Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumor Spheroids
Published on: October 14, 2019
Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Antonino Andrea Blandino1, Luigi Asmundo2, Elio Quiros3
1Abdominal Radiology and Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Section of Radiology - Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo 90127, Italy.
Small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms (SB-NENs) are heterogeneous tumors often diagnosed at advanced stages. This review highlights recent trends, classifications, and the crucial role of imaging in managing these challenging neuroendocrine tumors.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms (SB-NENs) are a heterogeneous group of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs).
- These tumors frequently present with nonspecific symptoms and are often diagnosed at advanced metastatic stages, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- The biological heterogeneity and multifocal nature of SB-NENs complicate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of SB-NENs.
- To focus on recent epidemiological trends, updated classifications (2022 WHO, AJCC Staging System), and the role of imaging.
- To emphasize the importance of imaging in diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and response assessment.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent epidemiological data.
- Analysis of the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) classification for GEP-NENs.
- Evaluation of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System.
- Emphasis on the role of anatomical and molecular imaging modalities.
- Discussion of the radiologist's contribution to surgical planning and follow-up strategies.
Main Results:
- SB-NENs exhibit significant biological heterogeneity and a high rate of metastasis at diagnosis.
- Nonspecific clinical presentation and small, multifocal lesions create diagnostic and therapeutic hurdles.
- Imaging, encompassing both anatomical and molecular techniques, is central to SB-NEN management.
- Radiology plays a key role in tumor detection, staging, surgical planning, and monitoring treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Accurate classification and staging are critical for managing SB-NENs.
- Integrated imaging strategies are essential for comprehensive patient care.
- Radiologists are integral to the multidisciplinary approach for optimizing outcomes in SB-NEN patients.
