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The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 commenced in Wuhan China in 2019 and soon spread worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 enters the cell by binding to the ACE II receptor and begins viral replication. The effects and clinical findings of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal (GI) system and especially lungs have been widely discussed. However, the effects on the pancreas—another organ that also expresses ACE II—have not been studied. This work prospectively evaluated data from 316 patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. The patients were categorized into three according to the severity of pneumonia (mild, severe, critical). Demographic data, rate of pancreatitis, biochemical parameters, and radiological images from each group were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups and outcomes were compared: COVID-19 patients with acute pancreatitis (Group P) and without acute pancreatitis (Group C). The median age was 54 (18–87), and the median age for patients with acute pancreatitis was 55 (26–84). As an expected finding, we found a positive correlation between advanced age and mortality (p = 0.0003). 12.6% of the patients had acute pancreatitis. While pancreatitis was not seen in patients on mild status, the rate of pancreatitis was 32.5% in critical patients. Hospitalization and mortality rates were higher in patients with COVID-19 accompanied by acute pancreatitis (p = 0.0038 and p < 0.0001, respectively). C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and ferritin were significantly higher in those who had pancreatitis (p < 0.0001). D-Dimer and procalcitonin levels had only a small difference (p = 0.1127 and p = 0.3403, respectively) Acute pancreatitis alone is a clinical condition that can lead to mortality and may be one of the reasons for the exaggerated immune response developing in the progression of COVID-19. Our results point out that the presence of pancreatic damage triggered by SARS-CoV-2 can deteriorate the clinical condition of patients and the mortality rate may increase in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since neuroendocrine tumors have an indolent behavior, studies looking at oncologic outcomes should report a long-term follow-up. Over the years, we have been treating selected patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) with laparoscopic ablation (LA) and reported favorable local tumor control. The aim of this study is to see whether this local efficacy translates into long-term oncologic outcomes.Methods: This was an IRB-approved study of patients who underwent LA for NELM at a single center. Overall and progression-free survivals were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards model.Results: Study included 58 women and 71 men with a median age of 58 (IQR 47-67) years. Tumor type included carcinoid (n = 92), pancreatic islet cell (n = 28), and medullary thyroid cancer (n = 9). There was a median of 6 (IQR 3-8) tumors, measuring 1.6 (IQR 1.1-2.4) cm. At a median follow-up of 73 (IQR 34-135) months, local liver recurrence per patient, new liver recurrence, and new extrahepatic recurrence rates were 22, 68, and 33%, respectively. Local tumor recurrence per lesion was 5% (n = 42/770). Median overall survival was 125 months, with 5-year, and 10-year overall survivals being, 76%, and 59%, respectively; and median disease-free survival was 13 months, with 5-year, and 10-year progression-free survivals being 26%, and 6%, respectively. On Cox proportional hazards model, overall survival was independently predicted by tumor size, grade, and resection status of primary.Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest single-center experience with the longest follow-up regarding the utilization of LA for NELM. Our results demonstrate that in selected patients, LA achieves a 95% local tumor control and 59% 10-year overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]