Surgical Experiences of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Pancreas : Comparative Study of Functioning vs. Non-functioning Neoplasms

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aims A neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) of the pancreas is rare, and can be divided into functioning and nonfunctioning NEN. This study was carried out to determine the characteristics and surgical outcomes of NEN of the pancreas experienced in a single institution. METHODS: The medical records of patients diagnosed with NEN of the pancreas (pancreatic islet-cell neoplasm) between June 1900 and June 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with NEN of the pancreas were examined. Nineteen patients (57.6%) had a nonfunctioning NEN and 14 (42.4%) had a functioning NEN. By comparison, the tumor size (p=0.001), distant metastasis (p=0.042), malignant characteristics (p=0.010) and survival (p=0.002), were significantly different. Surgical resections were almost always possible in the cases of functioning NEN. Patients with functioning NENs of the pancreas had a significantly higher survival than those patients with nonfunctioning NENs (p=0.002). A curative resection provided a better survival outcome in patients with nonfunctioning NENs (p=0.005) and offered a more than 80% disease-free survival in those with functioning NENs of the pancreas. CONCLUSION: Nonfunctioning NENs of the pancreas appeared to be more aggressive than functioning NENs. A complete resection of the NENs of the pancreas can provide a good prognosis.