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Pathological Classification: GEP, TNET, and Rare Forms

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Neuroendocrine Tumors in Real Life

Abstract

Pathological classification of neuroendocrine tumors is based mainly on proliferative activity in both gastrointestinal tract (GEP-NETs) and thorax. Ki67 has been introduced as the mainstay of grading in the 2010 WHO classification of GEP-NETs, with the definition of three grades of malignancy, depending on whether the value is ≤2%, 3–20%, and >20%, respectively, in case of well-differentiated NET, moderately differentiated NET, or neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). A recent matter of debate is whether dividing or not high-grade NEC into two subgroups on the basis of both morphologic differentiation and proliferation rate. According to 2015 WHO, thoracic neuroendocrine tumors are classified into typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma on the base of mitotic activity and the presence/absence of necrosis. More information have been acquired on preneoplastic lesions and mixed forms.

Less extensive is the knowledge of neuroendocrine neoplasms in uncommon sites (urinary system and male genital organs, female genital organs, breast, head and neck, and skin).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ENETs Center of Excellence for Neuroendocrine Tumours, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Pathology Section,University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Maria Laura Del Basso De Caro, Elia Guadagno & Gaetano De Rosa

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  1. Maria Laura Del Basso De Caro
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  2. Elia Guadagno
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  3. Gaetano De Rosa
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Correspondence to Maria Laura Del Basso De Caro .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. ENETs Center of Excellence for Neuroendocrine Tumours, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Annamaria Colao

  2. ENETs Center of Excellence for Neuroendocrine Tumours, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Antongiulio Faggiano

  3. Endocrine Oncology, Internal Medicine Department, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands

    Wouter de Herder

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De Caro, M.L.D.B., Guadagno, E., De Rosa, G. (2018). Pathological Classification: GEP, TNET, and Rare Forms. In: Colao, A., Faggiano, A., de Herder, W. (eds) Neuroendocrine Tumors in Real Life. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59024-0_2

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