Performance of biliary stents in malignant biliary strictures.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic stenting is a commonly applied method of treatment in patients with malignant biliary strictures. It involves the use of self­expandable metal stents (SEMSs) or plastic stents (PSs). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of SEMSs and PSs in the endoscopic drainage of malignant strictures of the biliary tree and its sequels for future optimalization of this treatment method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on 618 consecutive patients with malignant biliary stricture, in whom 1271endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures with biliary stenting have been performed in the years 2012-2017 with at least 3­year follow­up,  were retrospectively derived from a hospital database. RESULTS: The main indications for stenting were pancreatic cancer (37%) and cholangiocarcinoma (34%). The use of SEMSs resulted in a greater decline of serum bilirubin as compared with PSs (37% vs 32% of baseline concentration; P = 0.01). Consequently, hospital stay was shorter by more than 2 days (mean [SD], 9.5 [5.6] vs 11.8 [7.9] days; P <0.001). The median (interquartile range) patency time of SEMSs was more than 2 times longer than for PSs (118 [56-232] days vs 46 [18-97] days; P <0.001), and procedure­related complications were less frequent (19.3% vs 12.9%, respectively in the SEMS and PS group; P = 0.001). SEMSs proved also to be more cost­effective; the hospital profit was 1375 USD for a single hospitalization with SEMS insertion. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with malignant strictures of the biliary tree SEMSs outperform PSs. SEMSs should be used as a treatment of choice for biliary drainage in that group of patients.

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.

Performance of plastic stents used for benign and malignant biliary strictures: experience of a single high­volume endoscopy unit.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic plastic biliary stenting has been used for more than 30 years as a temporary or definitive treatment of benign and malignant neoplasms. These stents are commonly available, inexpensive, and easy to implant. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the duration of plastic stent patency, to assess complications associated with stent use, and to determine the optimal timing of stent replacement depending on the indication for biliary stenting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study with a 5­year follow­up including patients who underwent plastic biliary stent implantation between 2012 and 2013 in a tertiary referral gastroenterological center. The performance of stents was assessed on the basis of medical records, direct contact with patients or their family members, and information derived from the national death registry. RESULTS: We assessed 830 biliary stenting procedures performed in 346 patients. The indications for biliary stenting included choledocholithiasis in 120 patients (34.7%), benign stricture in 70 patients (20.2%), and malignant stricture in 156 patients (45.1%). The mean duration of stent patency for these conditions was 110, 106, and 55 days, respectively (P <0.001). Stents implanted for malignant perihilar strictures had a shorter duration of patency than those used for distal strictures (40 days vs 76 days, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The patency of plastic stents depends on the underlying disease. In patients with benign biliary disease, stent replacement is recommended after about 3.5 months. In patients with cancer, the timing of stent replacement should be guided by survival prognosis and location of stricture.

Diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Recommendations of the Working Group of the Polish Pancreatic Club.

These recommendations refer to the current management in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a neoplasia characterised by an aggressive course and extremely poor prognosis. The recommendations regard diagnosis, surgical, adjuvant and palliative treatment, with consideration given to endoscopic and surgical methods. A vast majority of the statements are based on data obtained in clinical studies and experts' recommendations on PDAC management, including the following guidelines: International Association of Pancreatology/European Pancreatic Club (IAP/EPC), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and Polish Society of Gastroenterology (PSG) and The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). All recommendations were voted on by members of the Working Group of the Polish Pancreatic Club. Results of the voting and brief comments are provided with each recommendation.

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.