Duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms with unexpectedly aggressive behaviour: Challenging the "watch and wait" approach

J Neuroendocrinol. 2022 Jan;34(1):e13067. doi: 10.1111/jne.13067. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Abstract

The incidence of duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms has risen over the past decades as a result of the wide availability of endoscopy and associated expertise. Although it is considered that tumour size greater than 10 mm, higher tumour grade and/or location in relation to the ampulla of Vater represent the main risk factors for local or distant metastases, we describe two cases of well differentiated grade 1 and grade 2 neuroendocrine tumours, which measured < 10 mm at the time of diagnosis but had an aggressive course during follow-up. Furthermore, we also summarise the available therapeutic strategies for the management of small, low grade, non-functioning, non-ampullary duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Keywords: duodenal neuroendocrine tumours; endoscopic surveillance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disease Progression
  • Duodenal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Duodenal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Duodenal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnosis
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Tumor Burden
  • Watchful Waiting*