Treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Virchows Arch. 2007 Aug:451 Suppl 1:S71-80. doi: 10.1007/s00428-007-0446-z. Epub 2007 Aug 8.

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare; thus, individual experience with the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors is mostly low, except in specialized centers. For histological diagnosis, standards have been described recently. Pathological classification and clinical staging influence diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. This chapter aims at demonstrating the importance of pathological and clinical classification of neuroendocrine tumors on therapeutic decisions, indicating the appropriate therapy for different stages of the disease. Surgical therapy will be discussed shortly, including palliative surgical strategies. However, the focus of the manuscript is medical therapy. Biotherapy, its effects, and remaining uncertainties are presented as well as different chemotherapeutic schemes. Finally, new options of palliative medical therapies like kinase inhibitors and anti-angiogenetic drugs will be discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Digestive System Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Digestive System Neoplasms / surgery
  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures
  • Humans
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / drug therapy*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / surgery

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents