Pancreatic Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Pancreatic Cancer, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, information.

Surgical treatment of non-functioning pancreatic islet cell tumors.

Kouvaraki MA, Solorzano CC, Shapiro SE, Yao JC, Perrier ND, Lee JE, Evans DB

Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) are rare neoplasms originating from the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) stem cells. Although the majority of PETs are sporadic, they frequently occur in familial syndromes. PETs may cause a variety of functional syndromes or symptoms of local progression if they are non-functional. General neuroendocrine tumor markers are highly sensitive in the diagnostic assessment of a PET. Imaging studies for tumor localization and staging include computer tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), In(111)-octreotide scan, MIBG, and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Treatment of PETs often requires a multi-modality approach; however, surgical resection remains the only curative therapy for localized (non-metastatic) disease. Treatment of metastatic disease includes biologic agents, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and liver-directed therapies.

Published 23 February 2005 in J Surg Oncol, 89(3): 170-85.
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