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INTRODUCTION
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can arise from different organs. The lungs, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, pancreas are common sites. GI and pancreatic NETs (PNETs) are histologically classified under the same category; however, PNETs have different clinical features from GI NETs and, thus, should be considered separately.
PNETs are relatively rare and comprise only 1%–2% of pancreatic tumors [1]. With the recent advances in imaging technology and understanding of these tumors, the diagnosis of asymptomatic and symptomatic PNETs has improved.
PNETs are divided into functional and non-functional tumors. About 90% of PNETs are classified as non-functional tumors, and the remaining 10% as functional tumors [2]. Functional tumors secrete particular hormones or peptides, such as insulin, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), glucagon, and somatostatin.
In this review, we summarize the classification, grading, and diagnosis of PNETs, with a focus on imaging studies.
CLASSIFICATION AND GRADING SYSTEM
The classification and grading system of PNETs is varied and has been modified for the last 15 years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2004 classification, PNETs can be classified into four groups: well-differentiated endocrine tumor, benign; well-differentiated endocrine tumor with uncertain behavior; well-differentiated endocrine tumor carcinoma; and poorly-differentiated endocrine tumor carcinoma [3]. However, this classification is not widely accepted in practice. In 2010, a new WHO classification for GI NETs and PNETs was proposed (Table 1) [4].
To date, three systems of grading or staging for PNETs, which were developed by the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), WHO 2010, and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), are widely accepted. ENETS proposed a staging system based on tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification (Table 2) [5]. The WHO 2010 classification system classified PNETs into two categories based on mitotic count and Ki-67 index: well-differentiated and poorly-differentiated tumors [4]. Well-differentiated tumors are referred to as NETs and further divided into low grade (G1) and intermediate grade (G2) tumors. Poorly-differentiated tumors are referred to as neuroendocrine carcinomas and high grade (G3) tumors (Table 1). The WHO 2010 classification system is useful in predicting the survival rate of patients with PNETs and widely used as a guideline for the treatment of PNETs [6]. In addition, the AJCC staging system is based on the TNM staging system for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Table 2) [7].
DIAGNOSIS
History and clinical manifestation
Detailed history taking and physical examination are also important for the diagnosis of patients with PNETs. However, the majority of PNETs are non-functional tumors and asymptomatic upon diagnosis and are incidentally found on imaging study. Patients with non-functional PNETs sometimes present with symptoms or signs by mass effect or metastasis, including jaundice caused by extrahepatic bile duct occlusion, acute pancreatitis resulting from main pancreatic duct compression, abdominal pain, and palpable abdominal mass.
In the case of functional PNETs, the specific symptoms and signs are caused by hormones or peptides they release. The most common functional PNETs are insulinomas and gastrinomas, followed by less common VIPomas, glucagonomas, and somatostatinomas (Table 3).
Insulinomas are the most common functional PNETs, which comprise 35%–40% [2], and patients with PNETs present with hypoglycemia due to episodic hyperinsulinemia. The classical diagnosis of insulinoma meets the criteria of Whipple’s triad: (1) hypoglycemia (plasma glucose <50 mg/dL), (2) symptoms of hypoglycemia (weakness, sweating, palpitations, confusion), and (3) prompt relief of symptoms after administration of glucose [9]. The symptoms of gastrinomas result from hypersecretion of gastrin, causing refractory peptic ulcer in the stomach and duodenum and secretory diarrhea, referred to as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The most common symptom of glucagonomas is dermatitis with migratory necrotic erythema. Other symptoms include glucose intolerance, diarrhea, and deep vein thrombosis. Large volume secretory watery diarrhea and hypokalemia are common symptoms of VIPomas. Somatostatinomas are extremely rare and cause very subtle symptoms such as abdominal pain and weight loss (Table 3).
When specific symptoms of functional PNETs are observed, the evaluation of imaging study and specific hormone or peptide level should be carried out cautiously.
Laboratory evaluation
The evaluation of hormones or peptides, including insulin, glucagon, gastric, VIP, and somatostatin, is essential for the diagnosis of functional PNETs when signs or symptoms are present (Table 3). The serum level of insulin and C-peptide along with glucose during prolonged fasting (up to 72 h) is useful for the diagnosis of insulinoma if symptoms of hypoglycemia are present or plasma glucose level is below 49 mg/dL. Normally, insulin levels are decreased during hypoglycemia, but in patients with insulin-secreting tumors, they do not decrease and C-peptide levels are elevated during hypoglycemia. Proinsulin levels are also elevated in insulinoma (Table 4) [10,11].
When gastrinoma is suspected, fasting serum gastrin levels should be evaluated. A serum gastrin level that is 10 times greater than the upper limit of the normal range along with a gastric pH <2 is diagnostic of gastrinoma [9,12]. If gastric pH is >2, secondary hypergastrinemia is suspected, which can occur with proton pump inhibitor administration, atrophic gastritis, and post-vagotomy state.
PNETs, including insulinomas, gastrinomas, somatostatinomas, and even non-functional tumors, can be associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1), which includes pituitary adenoma, parathyroid hyperplasia, and duodenal gastrinoma. When MEN 1 is suspected, serum prolactin, parathyroid hormone, and gastrin levels should be evaluated additionally.
In case of dermatitis, such as necrolytic migratory erythema, the diagnosis of glucagonoma requires increased plasma glucagon level greater than 10-fold (normal glucagon <50 pg/mL) [11,13]. The diagnosis of VIPoma and somatostatinoma is confirmed through the fasting level of VIP and somatostatin in patients with suspected symptoms.
Several tumor markers for functional and non-functional PNETs have been previously studied. The most widely used markers are chromogranin A (CgA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and pancreatic polypeptide. CgA, a protein that is stored in the secretory granules of different NETs, is a highly sensitive marker for the diagnosis of NETs [14]. ELISA kits for CgA are commercially available in the USA and Europe, and serum enzyme immunoassay study for CgA is available in South Korea. Elevated CgA level is correlated with tumor burden and metastasis of well-differentiated NETs rather than poorly-differentiated NETs [15]. Moreover, it may be useful in assessing responses to therapy and following up the tumor [16]. However, the CgA level of healthy participants and those with NETs varies day by day and is influenced by food intake. The most common cause of elevated CgA is the use of proton pump inhibitors, and it can also be elevated with renal and hepatic insufficiency. Therefore, CgA is not specific for the diagnosis of NETs [17,18].
NSE is an enzyme released after neuronal damage caused by different conditions, such as brain ischemia. In addition, this enzyme is identified in the cytoplasm of NET cells. The sensitivity of NSE as a tumor marker for NETs is as low as 30%–40%, but the specificity is almost 100% [19]. Using a combination of CgA and NSE improves the sensitivity for NETs [20].
Imaging
Overview
Various imaging modalities to stage and localize PNETs are used in the clinical setting, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy using somatostatin receptor analogue octreotide (OctreoScan®), positron emission tomography (PET), endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), and selective angiography. In the past, celiac or mesenteric arteriography was important in confirming the mass of GI NETs and PNETs because NETs are hypervascular tumors. With the advancement in contrast-enhancement and multiphasic techniques, contrast-enhanced CT and MRI has replaced angiography. However, angiography with selective arterial stimulation and venous sampling for specific hormones may be used for localization of functional tumors, which cannot be visualized with imaging studies [21]. The introduction and development of EUS in the last couple of decades opened a new era of diagnosis and treatment of PNETs.
Computed tomography
CT is the most common initial imaging study in the evaluation of patients with hormonal syndrome suspected with functional PNETs. Moreover, it is recommended for the evaluation of patients with mass on other imaging studies, although the patients have no evidence of symptoms or signs of functional PNETs.
Helical (spiral) triple-phase contrast-enhanced CT is the best option for the assessment of highly vascularized PNETs and liver metastasis. PNETs and metastatic mass are typically visualized during early arterial phase with washout during portal venous phase [22]. In contrast-enhanced CT, PNETs appear as a round, solid, and hypervascular mass (Fig. 1). However, about 10% present as cystic lesions with smooth margin and peripheral enhancement (Fig. 2) [2,23]. The mass is usually located within the parenchyma of the pancreas and rarely obstructs the pancreatic duct, but sometimes the mass is exophytic to the pancreas capsule or obstructs the bile and pancreatic ducts.
Contrast-enhanced CT scans are highly accurate in detecting PNETs larger than 2 cm and have a sensitivity range of 63%–82% and specificity range of 83%–100% [24,25]. The sensitivity is decreased in tumors smaller than 2 cm. However, symptomatic non-functional and functional tumors with hormone syndrome are usually larger than 2–3 cm at presentation [17,26]. CT scan also has another advantage: they can define the resectability of the tumor and detect the presence of liver and intraabdominal metastases.
Multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT is considered the imaging study of choice for detecting and staging PNETs.
Magnetic resonance imaging
Currently, with the advent of new technology in MRI sequences, PNETs are well visualized on MRI. They typically show low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (Fig. 3). Similar to CT scan images, early arterial phase image is the best for detecting hypervascular PNETs and small metastasis on gadolinium contrast-enhanced MRI [27]. The sensitivity of MRI is over 85%, and its specificity is over 75% [24,28].
Multiphasic MRI can detect PNETs that are less than 2 cm and small liver metastasis compared with CT scan [29]. However, MRI sequence has certain limitations: it produces respiratory motion artifacts and cannot be used in patients with cardiac pacemaker or implanted metal devices. Recently, a new MRI sequence system is being developed to overcome these limitations.
Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy
Many PNETs, including non-functional tumors except insulinomas, express high levels of somatostatin receptors. Radiolabeled somatostatin analog octreotide (111-In pentetreotide), also called OctreoScan, can induce uptake in PNETs. This method has a positive uptake for visualizing gastrinomas, glucagonomas, and even non-functional tumors [32,33]. It can be particularly helpful when glucagonoma is located outside of the pancreas [24]. The sensitivity of 111-In pentetreotide scintigraphy for the detection of gastrinomas, VIPomas, glucagonomas, and clinically non-functioning lesions is 75%–100% [34]. Insulinomas and poorly-differentiated PNETs are usually undetected with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy because they express low levels of somatostatin receptors [33,35].
Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy is often used when functional PNETs are suspected but tumors are not localized on cross-sectional images. It also has advantage before the decision of administration of octretide analog for the treatment of well-differentiated PNETs and targeting radiation therapy using radiolabeled somatostatin analogs.
Positron emission tomography
Most PNETs cannot be visualized through PET scan with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) because they are well differentiated and have low metabolic activity. However, poorly-differentiated PNETs have increased metabolic rate with FDG uptake and can be detected with PET scan. FDG activity on PET scan is correlated with tumor progression and increased mortality [36,37].
A new PET tracer for NETs, 68-Ga DOTATATE, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and numerous studies showed that it has greater sensitivity than 111-In pentetreotide scintigraphy in detecting small lesions [38,39]. A combination of PET with 68-Ga DOTATATE and high-resolution CT may be preferred over conventional somatostatin receptor scintigraphy if it is available.
Endoscopic ultrasonography
EUS has become a very useful imaging modality to evaluate pancreatic lesions. With high-frequency transducer, it provides a high-resolution image of the pancreas. A recent study on 56 patients with PNETs showed that EUS is superior to multidetector CT for the detection of PNETs even though CT technology has improved [40]. In the same study on 231 patients with PNETs, lesions smaller than 2 cm and insulinomas were usually missed by CT [40].
Based on EUS, PNETs are typically well-defined hypoechoic homogenous lesions (Fig. 4). Majority of PNETs are solid but occasionally cystic or have a cystic portion on the solid mass (Fig. 5).
EUS has advantages as compared to other imaging modalities in several aspects. First, it can detect PNETs that are smaller than 2–3 cm in diameter, which were not often detected by CT [40]. In a systematic review of 17 cohort studies, EUS identified PNETs in 97% of cases. Among them, 28% of EUS-detected PNETs were not detected by CT [41]. Second, peripancreatic abnormalities caused by PNETs can be examined during EUS. The enlargement of local lymph node and vascular invasion by mass can be detected through EUS. EUS is also useful in identifying gastrinomas that are located in the duodenal wall and small insulinomas that were not previously detected by CT, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, or 18F-FDG PET because of the low expression of somatostatin receptors. Third, tissue acquisition through fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy with linear array EUS can provide a histological confirmation of PNETs before surgery. Lastly, EUS has an important role in tattooing small lesions for easier intraoperative identification through the injection of carbon-based ink into the mass [42,43]. Moreover, it can be used for the local treatment of pancreatic tumors. EUS-guided ethanol ablation of PNETs has high success rate and low rate of procedure-related complications [44,45]. However, the volume and optimal concentration of ethanol that should be injected and techniques of EUS-guided injection should be further refined [45].
Contrast-enhanced EUS is helpful in characterizing small PNETs, which are incidentally found on other imaging modalities [46]. Over 90% of PNETs showed hypoechogenicity in B-mode and hyperenhancement after the injection of contrast agent in contrast-enhanced EUS (Fig. 6). In a study on 156 patients with suspected small pancreatic tumors by contrast-enhanced EUS, 75% of hypervascular lesions were NETs [47].
However, EUS has several limitations: it is dependent on an endoscopist, which may create inconsistent results, and the pancreas tail mass is poorly visualized because of inadequate ultrasonic window in some cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Among pancreatic neoplasm, PNETs are rare tumor. However there incidence is increasing because of the advancement of imaging technology and increased opportunities for checking pancreatic diseases. The majority of PNETs are non-functional tumors and create symptoms due to the mass itself. Some patients present with symptoms secondary to hormone overproduction from functional PNETs. Insulinomas are the most common functional PNETs.
For classification and staging, the ENETS, WHO 2010, and AJCC systems are used. Among them, the WHO 2010 classification system is the most commonly accepted. PNETs are classified into two categories based on mitotic count and Ki-67 index (well-differentiated and poorly-differentiated tumors). Malignant potential of PNETs is relatively common and size of the primary tumor and liver metastasis are predictors of malignant potential.
A detailed history taking of symptoms caused by mass effect and hormone overproduction is essential for the diagnosis of PNETs. Laboratory tests for functional PNETs include hormone levels for specific symptoms and tumor markers, such as CgA and NSE. CgA is the most sensitive marker and is correlated with tumor burden but has limited specificity.
For localization and staging of PNETs, multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT is considered the imaging study of choice. MRI has been suggested to be more sensitive in detecting small tumors and liver metastasis than other modalities. Thus, MRI is the second-line method of imaging for the localization of PNETs, which are not confirmed with other modalities. somatostatin receptor scintigraphy is often used when functional PNETs, except insulinomas, are suspected clinically but tumors are not localized on cross-sectional images. PNETs cannot be visualized on PET scan with 18F-FDG because a majority of them are well differentiated. However, PET with 68-Ga DOTATATE has been approved recently by the FDA and has improved sensitivity. EUS provides high-resolution ultrasonic images of the pancreas and can detect small tumors less than 2–3 cm. Its sensitivity is equal to or superior to multidetector CT or MRI for the detection of PNETs. Other benefits of EUS include the detection of lymph node involvement and vascular invasion and the possibility of tissue acquisition through fine needle aspiration or biopsy. Contrast-enhanced EUS is helpful in categorizing small hypervascular PNETs, which are incidentally found on other imaging modalities.
Early detection through advanced imaging modalities and proper classification and staging with the recently updated classification system are important in providing prognostic information and decision for the management of PNETs.
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