Clinical Gastroenterology Vol.28 No.1(12)

Theme Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Title Diagnostic Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumor
Publish Date 2013/01
Author Nobuhito Ikeuchi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Takao Itoi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Atsushi Sofuni Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Fumihide Itokawa Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Takayoshi Tsuchiya Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Toshio Kurihara Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Kentaro Ishii Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Shujiro Tsuji Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
Author Fuminori Moriyasu Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University
[ Summary ] Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) derive from neuroendocrine cells, making it possible for them to occur anywhere in the body. NETs commonly occur in the digestive tract and pancreas. NETs occurring in the pancreas are termed pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET). P-NETs have a high percentage of neoplastic cells and vessels. Typically P-NET exhibits a thick capsule around it, cystic degeneration and calcification in it. Tumors which should be distinguished from P-NET are 1) tumors with enhancement, 2) cystic tumors or tumor with cystic degeneration, and 3) those with carcification. Although itʼs possible to distinguish other tumors from P-NET through use of clinical history, age, gender, location and various types of imaging, there are often cases which are difficult to distinguish from P-NET. EUS-FNA is useful for examination in those cases. However, care must be taken when performing P-NET punctures exhibiting cystic degeneration because the procedure may lead to tumor cell seeding.
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