The Surgical and Systemic Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas

Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas comprise a class of rare tumors that can be associated with symptoms of hormone overproduction. Five distinct clinical endocrinopathies are associated with neuroendocrine tumors; however, most of these tumors remain asymptomatic and follow an indolent course. Complete surgical resection offers the only hope for cure, but understanding the basic biology of the tumors has advanced the medical management in metastatic disease. Surgical resection of hepatic metastases offers survival advantage and should be performed when feasible. Although hepatic artery embolization is currently the preferred mode of nonsurgical palliation for pain and hormonal symptoms, other modalities may play a role in metastatic disease.