Surgical management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors - An EYSAC and E-AHPBA international survey of current practice.

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical behavior, which makes their assessment and management quite challenging. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess the existing treatment landscape for patients with pNET.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted with the support of the ESSO-EYSAC Research Academy in collaboration with the E-AHPBA. An online survey was distributed via email and social media to surgical networks across Europe and beyond (September 1-30, 2023).

RESULTS

Overall, 155 complete responses were obtained. A specialized NET tumor board was present at the institutions of 94 (61 %) of the study participants. The most frequently applied guidelines were from ENETS (n = 97; 63 %), NCCN (n = 74; 48 %), and ESMO (n = 53; 34 %). For resectability, similar criteria as in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were used by 111 (72 %) participants, even though 116 (75 %) participants believed that pNET/pNEC should have their own resectability criteria. Most respondents used somatostatin analogues (n = 126; 81 %) and chemotherapy (n = 85; 55 %) as neoadjuvant treatments, followed by molecularly targeted agents (n = 45; 29 %) and PRRT (n = 37; 24 %). Only 17 (11 %) participants agreed/strongly agreed that the management of pNET/pNEC is sufficiently addressed in surgical education programs.

CONCLUSION

This international survey highlighted areas for improvement in the care of pNET, namely the lack of pNET-specific resectability criteria and educational programs addressing pNET management.