The multidisciplinary team for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: the radiologist's challenge

Radiol Oncol. 2019 Oct 25;53(4):373-387. doi: 10.2478/raon-2019-0040.

Abstract

Background Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours. An effective diagnosis requires a multimodal approach that combines evaluation of clinical symptoms, hormonelevels, radiological and nuclear imaging, and histological confirmation. Imaging plays a critical role in NETs diagnosis, prognosis and management, so the radiologists are important members of the multidisciplinary team. During diagnostic work-up two critical issues are present: firstly the need to identify tumor presence and secondly to define the primary site and assess regional and distant metastases. Conclusions The most appropriate imaging technique depends on the type of neuroendocrine tumour and the availability of specialized imaging techniques and expertise. There is no general consensus on the most efficient imaging pathway, reflecting the challenge in reliably detection of these tumours.

Keywords: computed tomography; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; magnetic resonance imaging; neuroendocrine tumours; ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Neoplasm Staging / methods*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Patient Care Team
  • Radiologists
  • Receptors, Somatostatin / metabolism*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Societies, Medical
  • Stomach Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Receptors, Somatostatin

Supplementary concepts

  • Gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor