A Multi-institutional Analysis of Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumors: Tumor Biology Rather than Extent of Resection Dictates Prognosis

Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms with poorly defined management. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing resection of duodenal NETs. Using a multi-institutional database, 146 patients who underwent resection for duodenal NETs between 1993 and 2015 were identified. Data on clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Local surgical resection (LR) was performed in 57 (39.0 %) patients, while 50 (34.3 %) patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 39 (26.7 %) patients an endoscopic resection (ER). Factors associated with worse RFS included advanced tumor grade and metastasis at diagnosis (both P < 0.05) but not procedure type (P > 0.05). Among patients who had at least one lymph node examined (n = 85), 50 (58.8 %) had a metastatic lymph node; lymph node metastasis (P = 0.04) and advanced tumor grade (P = 0.04) were more common among patients with tumors > 1.5 cm. Median length-of-stay was longer for PD versus LR (P < 0.001). PD patients were at increased risk for severe postoperative complications (P = 0.01). Recurrence of duodenal NETs was dependent on tumor biology rather than procedure type. PD was associated with a longer hospital stay and higher risk of perioperative complications. For patients with tumors a parts per thousand currency sign1.5 cm, LR or ER may be appropriate with PD reserved for larger lesions and those not amenable to a more local approach.