Update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Aktualizacja zalecen ogólnych dotyczacych postepowania diagnostyczno-terapeutycznego w nowotworach neuroendokrynnych ukladu pokarmowego (rekomendowane przez Polska Siec Guzów Neuroendokrynnych)].

Continuous progress in the diagnostics and treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), the emerging results of new clinical trials, and the new guidelines issued by medical societies have prompted experts from the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours to update the 2017 recommendations regarding the management of neuroendocrine neoplasms. This article presents the general recommendations for the management of NENs, resulting from the findings of the experts participating in the Fourth Round Table Conference, entitled "Polish Guidelines for the Diagnostics and Treatment of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, Zelechów, June 2021". Drawing from the extensive experience of centres treating these cancers, we hope that we have managed to formulate the optimal method of treating patients with NENs, applying the latest reports and achievements in the field of medicine, which can be effectively implemented in our country. The respective parts of this work present the approach to the management of: NENs of the stomach and duodenum (including gastrinoma), pancreas, small intestine, and appendix, as well as large intestine.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms - update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Nowotwory neuroendokrynne trzustki - uaktualnione zasady diagnostyki i leczenia (rekomendowane przez Polska Siec Guzów Neuroendokrynych)].

In this paper, we present the current guidelines for the diagnostics and management of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) developed by Polish experts providing care for these patients in everyday clinical practice. In oncological diagnostics, in addition to biochemical tests, molecular identification with the use of NETest liquid biopsy and circulating microRNAs is gaining importance. Both anatomical and functional examinations (including new radiopharmaceuticals) are used in imaging diagnostics. Histopathological diagnosis along with immunohistochemical examination still constitute the basis for therapeutic decisions. Whenever possible, surgical procedure is the treatment of choice. Pharmacological management including biotherapy, radioisotope therapy, targeted molecular therapy and chemotherapy are important methods of systemic therapy. Treatment of PanNENs requires a multidisciplinary team of specialists in the field of neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Gastroduodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms including gastrinoma - update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Nowotwory neuroendokrynne zoladka i dwunastnicy z uwzglednieniem gastrinoma - uaktualnione zasady postepowania (rekomendowane przez Polska Siec Guzów Neuroendokrynnych)].

After another meeting of experts of the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours, updated recommendations for the management of patients with gastric and duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms, including gastrinoma, have been issued. As before, the epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of these neoplasms have been discussed, as well as the principles of diagnostic procedures, including biochemical and histopathological diagnostics and tumour localisation, highlighting the changes introduced in the recommendations. Updated principles of therapeutic management have also been presented, including endoscopic and surgical treatment, and the options of pharmacological and radioisotope treatment. The importance of monitoring patients with gastric and duodenal NENs, including gastrinoma, has also been emphasised.

Colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms - update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Nowotwory neuroendokrynne jelita grubego - uaktualnione zasady diagnostyki i leczenia (rekomendowane przez Polska Siec Guzów Neuroendokrynych)].

Colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm (CRNEN), especially rectal tumours, are diagnosed with increased frequency due to the widespread use of colonoscopy, including screening examinations. It is important to constantly update and promote the principles of optimal diagnostics and treatment of these neoplasms. Based on the latest literature and arrangements made at the working meeting of the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours (June 2021), this paper includes updated and supplemented data and guidelines for the management of CRNEN originally published in Endokrynologia Polska 2017; 68: 250-260.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the small intestine and the appendix - update of the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours) [Nowotwory neuroendokrynne jelita cienkiego i wyrostka robaczkowego - uaktualnione zasady diagnostyki i leczenia (rekomendowane przez Polska Siec Guzów Neuroendokrynnych)].

Updated Polish recommendations for the management of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the small intestine (SINENs) and of the appendix (ANENs) are presented here. The small intestine, and especially the ileum, is one of the most common locations for these neoplasms. Most of them are well-differentiated and slow-growing tumours; uncommonly - neuroendocrine carcinomas. Their symptoms may be untypical and their diagnosis may be delayed or accidental. Najczesciej pierwsza manifestacja ANEN jest jego ostre zapalenie. Typical symptoms of carcinoid syndrome occur in approximately 20-30% of SINENs patients with distant metastases. In laboratory diagnostics the assessment of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration is helpful in the diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome. The most commonly used imaging methods are ultrasound examination, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, colonoscopy and somatostatin receptor imaging. Histopathological examination is crucial for the proper diagnosis and treatment of patients with SINENs and ANENs. The treatment of choice is a surgical procedure, either radical or palliative. Long-acting somatostatin analogues (SSAs) are essential in the medical treatment of functional and non-functional SINENs. In patients with SINENs, at the stage dissemination with progression during SSAs treatment, with high expression of somatostatin receptors, radioisotope therapy should be considered first followed by targeted therapies - everolimus. After the exhaustion of the above available therapies, chemotherapy may be considered in selected cases. Recommendations for patient monitoring are also presented.

Sleep disorders in oncological patients.

Despite considerable interest in the holistic recognition and treatment of human beings, many areas of health and its pathology remain overlooked in individual medical disciplines. These include circadian rhythms and wakefulness, including sleep and its disorders. Sleep is a basic human need, right next to it - breathing, eating, drinking, shelter, warmth and sex. Its biological function is associated with the main processes of regeneration, energy-saving and survival. It has a significant impact on the course of life functions, such as the development of nerve cells, learning mechanisms, memory, emotional regulation, cardiovascular function, metabolism and in the process of removing cellular toxins. Good sleep - in quantitative and qualitative terms, is a key element of good physical, mental and sexual health, and is also important for improving the overall quality of life. Despite the great interest in the right way of caring for health and well-being, knowledge about promoting health in the field of good sleep is still insufficient. There is a need to create an educational base for medical staff dealing with sleep dysfunctions and disorders, especially in patients affected by cancer. Often, oncology is referred to as "internal medicine with cancers", which mainly focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and it would be worth paying attention to the aspect of supportive treatment and support for oncological patients by improving the patient's other life needs, including sleep. Oncologist's cooperation with specialists dealing with sleep disorders and circadian rhythms seems to be a necessary element of the holistic treatment of patients.

Emphysema affects the number and characteristics of solitary pulmonary nodules identified by chest low-dose computed tomography. A study on screenees with high-risk lung cancer recruited in Upper Silesia.

INTRODUCTION: Chest low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has recently been proved effective in lung cancer screening. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the association between the occurrence of emphysema and solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) in first­round screening with LDCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 601 asymptomatic volunteers with a smoking history underwent LDCT; 523 patients were assigned to one of the following groups: E, emphysema without nodules (n = 103); E + N, emphysema with coexisting nodules (n = 96); N, nodules without emphysema (n = 142); and NENN, no nodules and no emphysema (n = 182). The effect of emphysema and demographic factors on the profile of SPNs was assessed. RESULTS: Patients in the E + N group were older than those in the N group (median age, 65 vs 63 years; P = 0.001) and they smoked more (median pack­years, 37.8 vs 32; P = 0.01). Emphysema was detected in 199 of the 523 patients (38%), while nodules, in 238 (45.5%). The number of nodules in the E + N group was 390 (4.1 nodules per patient), and in the N group, 540 (3.8 nodules per patient). Multiple SPNs, of different size and morphology, constituted 93.3% of the nodules in the E + N group. Seven cases of cancer were detected among 238 patients with nodules, and their distribution was similar in the groups with and without emphysema (4.2 per 100 patients in the E + N group and 2.1 per 100 in the N group; P = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Emphysema was more frequently associated with multiple SPNs of different morphology among elderly patients with a higher number of smoking pack­years.

Activity and Safety of Standard and Prolonged Capecitabine/Temozolomide Administration in Patients with Advanced Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Capecitabine and temozolomide combination (CAPTEM) is associated with high response rates in patients with advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). We evaluated the real-world activity and safety of CAPTEM from 3 NEN centers. METHODS: Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with CAPTEM for bulky or progressive disease (PD) were retrospectively analyzed. -Results: Seventy-nine patients with gastroenteropancreatic (grades 1-2 [n = 38], grade 3 [n = 24]) and lung/thymic (n = 17) NENs were included. Median treatment duration was 12.1 months (range 0.6-55.6). Overall, partial responses (PRs) occurred in 23 (29.1%), stable (SD) in 24 (30.4%), and PD in 28 (35.4%) patients. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 10.1 (6-14.2) and 102.9 months (43.3-162.5), respectively. On univariate analysis, NENs naive to chemotherapy and low Ki67 were associated with favorable responses (partial response [PR] + SD; p = 0.011 and 0.045), PFS (p < 0.0001 and 0.002) and OS (p = 0.005 and 0.001). Primary site (pancreas and lung/thymus) was also a significant prognostic factor for PFS (p < 0.0001) and OS (p < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, gastrointestinal and unknown primary NENs (hazard ratio [HR] 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8, p = 0.009 and p = 0.018) and prior surgery (HR 2.4, 95% CI 11-4.9, p = 0.021) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Ki-67 was a poor predictor for favorable response in receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve 0.678). Safety analysis of CAPTEM indicated rare events of serious (grades 3-4) toxicities (n = 4) and low discontinuation rates (n = 8) even in patients with prolonged administration (>12 months). CONCLUSIONS: CAPTEM treatment can be an effective and safe treatment even after prolonged administration for patients with NENs of various sites and Ki67 labeling index, associated with significant favorable responses and PFS.

Capecitabine and temozolomide combination for treatment of high-grade, well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour and poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma - retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Many retrospective studies have confirmed that capecitabine combined with temozolomide is effective in neuroendocrine neoplasms. Most of the studies focused on grade 1 and grade 2 neuroendocrine tumours, mainly of pancreatic origin. There are limited data regarding the efficacy capecitabine with temozolomide in grade 3 neuroendocrine tumours. The new World Health Organisation 2017 classification distinguished well-differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine tumours from poorly differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinomas. Treatment options for grade 3 neuroendocrine neoplasms are limited, and the overall prognosis is better in the subgroup of patients with grade 3 neuroendocrine tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a retrospective study in the population of patients with diagnosed grade 3 neuroendocrine neoplasms of different origin treated with capecitabine and temozolomide. Data on clinical and demographic characteristics of the population were collected from four Polish clinical centres. This study aimed to evaluate response and survival parameters and compare outcomes of treatment of neuroendocrine tumours and carcinomas. RESULTS: The study included 32 patients with grade 3 neuroendocrine tumours treated with capecitabine and temozolomide. The disease control rate was twice as high in the group of patient with neuroendocrine tumours in comparison to carcinomas (70 vs. 30%). The progression-free survival for patients with neuroendocrine tumours was 15.3 months (95% CI: 3.9-30.4), and for patients with neuroendocrine carcinomas it was 3.3 months (95% CI: 2.5-7.1). Median overall survival was 22 months (95% CI: 11.8-22.0) and 4.6 months (95% CI: 2.2-5.9) for patients with tumours and carcinomas, respectively. The treatment regimen was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of capecitabine and temozolomide is an effective treatment for patients with grade 3 neuroendocrine tumours with Ki-67 index ranging between 20 and 54%. The treatment did not overcome the aggressive character of neuroendocrine carcinomas and resulted in low response and survival outcomes in comparison to those achieved in tumour therapy.

Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).

Progress in the diagnostics and therapy of gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN), the published results of new randomised clinical trials, and the new guidelines issued by the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) have led the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours to update the 2013 guidelines regarding management of these neoplasms. We present the general recommendations for the management of NENs, developed by experts during the Third Round Table Conference - Diagnostics and therapy of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: Polish recommendations in view of current European recommenda-tions, which took place in December 2016 in Zelechów near Warsaw. Drawing from the extensive experience of centres dealing with this type of neoplasms, we hope that we have managed to develop the optimal management system, applying the most recent achievements in the field of medicine, for these patients, and that it can be implemented effectively in Poland. These management guidelines have been arranged in the following order: gastric and duodenal NENs (including gastrinoma); pancreatic NENs; NENs of the small intestine and appendix, and colorectal NENs.

Gastroduodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms, including gastrinoma - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).

This paper presents the updated Polish Neuroendocrine Tumour Network expert panel recommendations on the management of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the stomach and duodenum, including gastrinoma. The recommendations discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of these tumours as well as their diagnosis, including biochemical, histopathological, and localisation diagnoses. The principles of treatment are discussed, including endoscopic, surgical, pharmacological, and radionuclide treatments. Finally, there are also recommendations on patient monitoring.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).

This article presents updated diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNEN), proposed by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours. The guidelines contain new data received in the years 2013-2016, which confirm previous recommendations, and have led to modification of previous guidelines or have resulted in the formulation of new guidelines. Biochemical and imaging (anatomical and functional) tests are of great importance in diagnostics, as well as histopathological diagnosis to determine the management of PNEN patients, but they must be confirmed by an immunohistochemical examination. PNEN therapy requires collaboration among the members a multidisciplinary team of specialists experienced in the management of these neoplasms. Surgery is the basic form of treatment in many cases. Further therapy requires a multidirectional procedure; therefore, the rules of biotherapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, molecular targeted therapy, and chemotherapy are discussed.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the small intestine and appendix - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).

This study presents the revised Polish guidelines regarding the management of patients suffering from neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the small intestine and appendix. The small intestine, especially the ileum, is the most common location for these neoplasms. Most are well differentiated and slow growing. Their symptoms may be atypical, which can result in delayed or accidental diagnosis. Appendicitis is usually the first manifestation of NEN in this location. Typical symptoms of carcinoid syndrome occur in approximately 20-30% of patients suffering from small intestinal NENs with distant metastases. The main cause of death in patients with carcinoid syndrome is carcinoid heart disease. The most useful laboratory test is the determination of chromogranin A, while concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid is helpful in the diagnostics of carcinoid syndrome. For visualisation, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, colonoscopy, video capsule endoscopy, double-balloon enteroscopy, and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy may be used. A detailed his-tological report is crucial for the proper diagnostics and therapy of NENs of the small intestine and appendix. The treatment of choice is surgical management, either radical or palliative. The pharmacological treatment of the hormonally active and non-active small intestinal NENs as well as NENs of the appendix is based on long-acting somatostatin analogues. In patients with generalised NENs of the small intestine in progress during the SSA treatment, with good expression of somatostatin receptors, the first-line treatment should be radio-isotope therapy, while targeted therapies, such as everolimus, should be considered afterwards. When the above therapies are exhausted, in certain cases chemotherapy may be considered.

Colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms - management guidelines (recommended by the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours).

Neuroendocrine neoplasms/tumours (NENs/NETs) of the large intestine are detected increasingly often, especially rectal tumours, which is probably associated with the widespread use of screening colonoscopy. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the thesis that the NENs of the rectum and the NENs of the colon are two different diseases. Rectal NENs are usually small lesions, of low to moderate histological malignancy, associated with good prognosis, and most may be treated endoscopically. NENs of the colon, however, are often aggressive, poorly differentiated, associated with a poor or uncer-tain prognosis, and require surgical treatment. The management guidelines regarding these groups of patients are constantly changing. On the basis of the recent literature data and conclusions reached by the working meeting of the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumours (December 2016), this study completes and updates the data and management guidelines regarding colorectal NENs published in Endokrynologia Polska 2013; 64: 358-368.

Baseline chromogranin A and its dynamics are prognostic markers in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

AIM: This study assessed whether absolute chromogranin A (CgA) values at various stages of treatment have prognostic value in patients with pancreatic and midgut neuroendocrine tumors, subjected to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 90Y-[DOTA0, D-Phe1, Tyr3]-octreotate. PATIENTS & METHODS: CgA was determined before peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, 6 weeks, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the last dose of 90Y-[DOTA0, D-Phe1, Tyr3]-octreotate. The primary end point was overall survival. RESULTS: Elevated baseline CgA concentrations and their relative increase within the first year of observation were unfavorable predictors of overall survival, but not progression. CONCLUSION: Even a single baseline measurement of CgA can be useful in establishing prognosis in this group, if this parameter exceeds its upper normal limit more than tenfold.

Long-term efficacy of (90)Y-DOTATATE in patients with nonresectable pancreatic and small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms.

AIM: To determine the efficacy of (90)Y [DOTA(0), D-Phe(1), Tyr(3)]-octreotate (DOTATATE) in 67 patients with pancreatic and small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). PATIENTS & METHODS: The primary efficacy end point was overall survival (OS) and secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and tumor response. RESULTS: Median PFS in pancreatic and small bowel NETs was 25 and 28 months, respectively, and median OS was 42 and 38.5 months, respectively. No intergroup differences in median OS (p = 0.945) or PFS (p = 0.174) were found, also after adjustment for tumor origin, secretory status and grade, and patient's gender. CONCLUSION: (90)Y-DOTATATE may have similar efficacy in pancreatic and small bowel NETs. Better WHO performance status at baseline seems to be associated with more favorable outcomes.

Risk factors assessment and risk prediction models in lung cancer screening candidates.

From February 2015, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening entered the armamentarium of diagnostic tools broadly available to individuals at high-risk of developing lung cancer. While a huge number of pulmonary nodules are identified, only a small fraction turns out to be early lung cancers. The majority of them constitute a variety of benign lesions. Although it entails a burden of the diagnostic work-up, the undisputable benefit emerges from: (I) lung cancer diagnosis at earlier stages (stage shift); (II) additional findings enabling the implementation of a preventive action beyond the realm of thoracic oncology. This review presents how to utilize the risk factors from distinct categories such as epidemiology, radiology and biomarkers to target the fraction of population, which may benefit most from the introduced screening modality.