Resectability of primary gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor as a prognostic factor for survival.

Background: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) originate from gastrointestinal cells and pancreas; most are benign or well-differentiated. GEP-NET treatment objectives are tumor resection and reduction of tumor growth and dissemination, as well as symptom amelioration. We undertook this study to identify prognostic factors among patients with GEP-NETs.

Methods: A total of 48 patients with histopathological diagnosis of GEP-NET were examined. Dependent variables were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival rates. Independent variables were age, gender, primary tumor size, resectability, metastatic disease, and histological degree.

Results: In 48 patients (60.4% female, 39.6% male, median age 54 years), overall survival rate was 43.7%, and DFS was 33 months. The most common location was gastric. Factors related with the poorest prognosis were histological degree types 2 and 3, tumors >2 cm, metastatic disease, and primary tumor irresectability. For DFS, the only adverse factor was histological degree.

Conclusions: Patients with recurrence of GEP-NET had a poorer prognosis. Complete resection of the lesion with negative margins is the most determining prognostic factor for overrall survival in patients with GEP-NET.