Nonfunctioning Incidental Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Who, When, and How to Treat?

Asymptomatic nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are indolent, slow-growing tumors, and surveillance is safe and reasonable. Despite consensus, size may be less important than grade and Ki-67 when making decisions regarding optimal therapy. Plans to proceed with surveillance or surgical resection require a multidisciplinary approach and a shared decision-making process with colleagues, patients, and families. Decisions should be based on tumor characteristics, patient morbidities, preferences, and risks. As molecular diagnostics evolve, preoperative acquisition of tissue samples may become even more critical in choosing between operative management and surveillance.