Navigating the landscape of liver transplantation in neuroendocrine tumors: A comprehensive scoping review
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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
A Hepatocellular Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Xenograft Model to Investigate Impact of Liver Regeneration on Tumor Growth
Published on: February 2, 2024
Leonardo Kasputis Zanini1, Eduarda Costa Oliveira2, Fabrício Inácio de Moraes Nascimento2
1Department of Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil.
Background:
Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare neoplasms with heterogeneous biological behavior. Although in these scenarios surgical resection can result in favorable outcomes, a considerable proportion of patients are not candidates for this modality due to extensive liver involvement. In these scenarios, liver transplantation (LT) may be a therapeutic alternative for these patients.
Aim:
To map the main evidence for the role of LT in NET. Analyze evidence and other possible therapies.
Methods:
A review of LT for hepatic metastatic NET. MEDLINE-PubMed, Lilacs, and Cochrane Library were searched. For MEDLINE-PubMed MESH-terms used were ["Neuroendocrine Tumors" (MeSH Terms)] OR "Neuroendocrine Tumors" (All Fields)] AND ["Liver Transplantation" (MeSH Terms) OR "Liver Transplantation" (All Fields)]. Cochrane Library search: ("neuroendocrine tumors" AND "liver transplantation"). Lilacs search: (neuroendocrine tumor) AND (liver transplantation). Articles were selected based on the person-centred care framework. Two independent reviewers (Oliveira EC, Zanini LK) performed selection and quality assessment, with a third (Nacif LS) resolving disagreements.
Results:
After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria based on the acronym person-centred care. A total of 73 articles out of 513 articles: 498 in MEDLINE, 12 in Cochrane, and 3 in LILACS. The last search was conducted in February 2025. No randomized controlled clinical trials or systematic reviews based on clinical trials were identified. We identified 14 reports or case series, 3 commentaries or letters to the editor, 22 retrospective cohorts, 29 narrative reviews, and 5 systematic reviews with diverse populations and based on observational studies.
Conclusion:
LT may represent a significant benefit in overall survival for adult patients with liver metastases from NET who are not candidates for curative resection.