Diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Abstract

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are relatively rare, however, they have recently garnered attention. pNETs consist of functioning and non-functioning tumors. Unfortunately, many patients present with metastasis at initial diagnosis. At this point tumor have a high malignant potential, so toward determining the therapeutic strategy, correct diagnosis (disease existence, tumor localization and histopathological diagnosis) is extremely important. Inherited syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 are associated with the development pNETs and have to be examined before starting treatment. Measuring the serum levels of the chromogranin A and localizing tumors using somatostatin receptor scintigraphy is useful for the diagnosis of pNET, however these procedures are not covered by health insurance in Japan. Therefore establishing an algorithm to develop a diagnostic system to address pNETs would be future issue in Japan.