Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Gallbladder

Abstract

GB-NETs have an aggressive behavior, and once diagnosed, extensive surgical management and careful NET follow up with CT scan is mandatory to facilitate early detection of recurrence. Since more aggressive surgical management for GBC has shown increased survival rates for these tumors, a similar strategy seems reasonable for GB-NETs. However, in high grade metastatic tumors, the primary management is mainly medical.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the gallbladder: a case report and review of the literature

“…At present, 278 cases of GB NETs are reported in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Only five well-differentiated NETs are registered in SEER, indicating that the entity of "benign" NETs is very rare in the GB [1]. Neuroendocrine cells derive from local multipotent gastrointestinal stem cells rather than, as initially guessed, by migration by the neural crest.…”

“…Neuroendocrine cells derive from local multipotent gastrointestinal stem cells rather than, as initially guessed, by migration by the neural crest. GB NETs may develop from endocrine cells induced by intestinal metaplasia of the body and fundus as well as from pre-existing endocrine cells in the neck of the GB [1-11]. The age at presentation of GB NETs ranges from 38 to 81 years, and there is a markedly higher incidence in women [10].…”

“…Carcinoids are rare neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) derived from enterochromaffin or Kulchitsky cells, which are widely distributed in the body [1,2]. Consequently, NETs can be found in any location of the body, although the sites most commonly affected are the gastrointestinal and bronchopulmonary tracts, representing approximately 67% and 25% of cases, respectively [3].…”

Brain metastasis from neuroendocrine tumor of the gallbladder: a rare entity

“…[12] Consequently, NETs can be found in any location of the body, although the sites most commonly affected are the gastrointestinal and bronchopulmonary tracts, representing approximately 67% and 25% of cases, respectively. [3] The incidence of NETs has increased over the past 30 years but survival has also improved.…”

“…[1] Adjuvant therapies such as chemo and or radiotherapy may not be required for typical low grade carcinoids as they are generally insensitive to traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Common sites of metastases of NET are liver, bones[8] but isolated brain metastasis is very rare.…”