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Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors and Other Rare Pancreatic Neoplasms

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Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Malignancies

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Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the USA and worldwide. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are one rare subset of pancreatic malignancies, which are increasing in incidence. The growing number of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors has highlighted the need for improved diagnostic modalities which may aid in earlier detection and improved outcomes. The use of endoscopic ultrasound and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, for example, has become more widespread and can help identify tumors missed on CT or MRI. There are even several potential tumor markers under further investigation.

This rise in incidence has also inspired the search for more effective treatment interventions. The traditional open surgical approach has now given way to laparoscopic and robotic parenchymal-sparing techniques and liver-localizing therapies. Medical management has progressed with the advent of more targeted therapy with agents such as mTOR inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. The field of pancreatic malignancies, and particularly that of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, is dynamic and evolving. The focus of this chapter will be on the diagnosis and management of these rare pancreatic tumors, including those of neuroendocrine origin, and their exciting scientific future.

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  1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Andrew Foong & James Buxbaum

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  1. Andrew Foong
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Correspondence to James Buxbaum .

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  1. Medical Director, Capital Health Cancer Center, Director, CH Pancreas Center of Excellence, Director, CH Liver Center of Excellence, Pennington, NJ, USA

    Cataldo Doria

  2. Director of Interventional Gastroenterology, Capital Health Medical Center, Pennington, NJ, USA

    Jason N. Rogart

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Foong, A., Buxbaum, J. (2022). Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors and Other Rare Pancreatic Neoplasms. In: Doria, C., Rogart, J.N. (eds) Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Malignancies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41683-6_43

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