Trends in Incidence of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms in Norway: A Report of 16,075 Cases from 1993 through 2010.

Background: Epidemiological studies show an increasing trend in the incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). A significant number of NENs occur in less common primary sites, but they are often excluded from the population-based studies. We studied the incidence trends of all NENs in Norway according to different primary sites.

Survival and prognostic factors in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Objectives: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (P-NETs) account for 2-3% of all pancreatic neoplasms. The aim of our study was to investigate survival and prognostic factors in patients with P-NETs.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 114 patients diagnosed with well-differentiated P-NETs from 1982 through 2010.

Combination of cross-sectional and molecular imaging studies in the localization of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Molecular imaging modalities exploit aspects of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) pathophysiology for both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic purposes. The characteristic metabolic pathways of NET determine which tracers are useful for their visualization. In this review, we summarize the diagnostic value of all available molecular imaging studies, present data about their use in daily practice in NET centers globally, and finally make recommendations about the appropriate use of those modalities in specific clinical scenarios.

Comparison of 24-h and overnight samples of urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in patients with intestinal neuroendocrine tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) arising in the small intestine are known to produce vasoactive substances, including serotonin, that may result in the carcinoid syndrome (flushing, diarrhea, bronchoconstriction, and carcinoid heart disease). Measurement of the serotonin breakdown product 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in urine is important in diagnosing and monitoring of patients with intestinal NETs. Our aim was to compare 5-HIAA measurement in 24-h urine sampling with overnight (∼8-h) sampling in patients with known NETs, or at follow-up of patients potentially cured for their NETs.

Evaluation of right ventricular dysfunction by myocardial strain echocardiography in patients with intestinal carcinoid disease.

Background: Cardiac fibrosis is an important complication of intestinal carcinoid disease, with resulting valvular and ventricular dysfunction due to endocardial fibrosis. Evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function in these patients has focused on valvular involvement. The aim of this study was to investigate whether myocardial strain by echocardiography can detect RV dysfunction in patients with carcinoid disease.

Activin A in carcinoid heart disease: a possible role in diagnosis and pathogenesis.

Background/aims: Carcinoid heart disease (CHD), a complication of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), is characterized by right heart fibrotic lesions. Though serotonin is likely involved, the pathogenesis of CHD remains unclear. Cytokines and growth factors with fibrogenic properties may play a role.

Survival following resection of pancreatic endocrine tumors: importance of R-status and the WHO and TNM classification systems.

Objective: The aim of this study was to delineate the clinical outcomes and pathological characteristics of surgically resected endocrine tumors of the pancreas and to determine the importance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and tumor-node metastasis (TNM) classifications, resection status, and Ki-67 expression for long-term survival.

Patients And Methods: Sixty-nine patients underwent surgical tumor resection with curative intent during 1990-2007. Hospital records were reviewed retrospectively for medical, surgical, pathological, and radiological data.

Plasma CCN2/connective tissue growth factor is associated with right ventricular dysfunction in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Carcinoid heart disease, a known complication of neuroendocrine tumors, is characterized by right heart fibrotic lesions. Carcinoid heart disease has traditionally been defined by the degree of valvular involvement. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction due to mural involvement may also be a manifestation.

Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors: prognostic factors and survival.

Objective: Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) make up 38% of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. We report our experience with SI-NETs at the National Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors in Norway, focusing on prognostic factors and survival.

Material And Methods: The medical records of 258 patients with SI-NETs diagnosed between 1983 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.