A Multi-institutional Analysis of Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumors: Tumor Biology Rather than Extent of Resection Dictates Prognosis.

Introduction: Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms with poorly defined management. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing resection of duodenal NETs.

Methods: Using a multi-institutional database, 146 patients who underwent resection for duodenal NETs between 1993 and 2015 were identified. Data on clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results: Local surgical resection (LR) was performed in 57 (39.0 %) patients, while 50 (34.3 %) patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 39 (26.7 %) patients an endoscopic resection (ER). Factors associated with worse RFS included advanced tumor grade and metastasis at diagnosis (both P < 0.05) but not procedure type (P > 0.05). Among patients who had at least one lymph node examined (n = 85), 50 (58.8 %) had a metastatic lymph node; lymph node metastasis (P = 0.04) and advanced tumor grade (P = 0.04) were more common among patients with tumors >1.5 cm. Median length-of-stay was longer for PD versus LR (P < 0.001). PD patients were at increased risk for severe postoperative complications (P = 0.01).

Conclusion: Recurrence of duodenal NETs was dependent on tumor biology rather than procedure type. PD was associated with a longer hospital stay and higher risk of perioperative complications. For patients with tumors ≤1.5 cm, LR or ER may be appropriate with PD reserved for larger lesions and those not amenable to a more local approach.