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Neuroendocrine Tumors pp 61–78Cite as

Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumors

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Part of the book series: Current Clinical Oncology ((CCO))

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) arise from amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) cells throughout the nervous and endocrine systems, which produce and secrete regulatory hormones. NETs commonly originate in: (1) argentaffin cells of the gut, resulting in carcinoid tumors, (2) endocrine cells in the pancreas, (3) calcitonin-producing thyroid cells, resulting in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and (4) parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands. Although NETs are relatively rare and more indolent than other malignancies, occasionally they can be aggressive. Early diagnosis and accurate identification of primary tumors and metastases are necessary to appropriately treat patients before they develop complications from an aggressive disease. Imaging plays an important role in locating primary tumors, staging, and preoperative planning for resection of primary tumor and metastatic disease, and patient monitoring (follow-up). This chapter will focus on imaging modalities commonly used to diagnose and stage NETs with origins primarily in the abdomen, including gastrointestinal (GI) carcinoids, pancreatic islet-cell tumors, pheochromocytomas, and paragangliomas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler, Unit 1473, Houston, TX, USA

    Chusilp Charnsangavej

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Piyaporn Boonsirikamchai MD & Mohamed Khalaf Aly Asran MD

Authors
  1. Piyaporn Boonsirikamchai MD
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  2. Mohamed Khalaf Aly Asran MD
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  3. Chusilp Charnsangavej
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Correspondence to Chusilp Charnsangavej .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal, University of Texas, Holcombe Blvd. 1400, Houston, 77030-4009, Texas, USA

    James C. Yao

  2. São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da, Universidade de São Paulo,, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de, Ave Dr Arnaldo 251, São Paulo, 01246-000, São Paulo, Brazil

    Paulo M. Hoff

  3. Cancer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade, de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Endocrine Neoplasia Unit, Instituto do, Av Dr Arnaldo 251, São Paulo, 01246-000, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ana O. Hoff

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Boonsirikamchai, P., Asran, M.K.A., Charnsangavej, C. (2011). Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumors. In: Yao, J., Hoff, P., Hoff, A. (eds) Neuroendocrine Tumors. Current Clinical Oncology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-997-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-997-0_5

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