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Purpose: Aim of this study was to investigate a dose-response relationship, dose-toxicity relationship, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in neuroendocrine tumour liver metastases (NELM) treated with holmium-166-microspheres radioembolization ([166Ho]-radioembolization). Materials and methods: Single center, retrospective study included patients with NELM that received [166Ho]-radioembolization with post-treatment SPECT/CT and CECT or MRI imaging for 3 months follow-up. Post-treatment SPECT/CT was used to calculate tumour (Dt) and whole liver healthy tissue (Dh) absorbed dose. Clinical and laboratory toxicity was graded by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 5 at baseline and three-months follow-up. Response was determined according to RECIST 1.1. The tumour and healthy doses was correlated to lesion-based objective response and patient-based toxicity. Kaplan Meier analyses were performed for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Twenty-seven treatments in 25 patients were included, with a total of 114 tumours. Median follow-up was 14 months (3 – 82 months). Mean Dt in non-responders was 68 Gy versus 118 Gy in responders, p = 0.01. ROC analysis determined 86 Gy to have the highest sensitivity and specificity, resp. 83% and 81%. Achieving a Dt of ≥ 120 Gy provided the highest likelihood of response (90%) for obtaining response. Sixteen patients had grade 1–2 clinical toxicity and only one patient grade 3. No clear healthy liver dose-toxicity relationship was found. The median PFS was 15 months (95% CI [10.2;19.8]) and median OS was not reached. Conclusion: This study confirms the safety and efficacy of [166Ho]-radioembolization in NELM in a real-world setting. A clear dose–response relationship was demonstrated and future studies should aim at a Dt of ≥ 120 Gy, being predictive of response. No dose-toxicity relationship could be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opinion statement: Transplant oncology is a new field of medicine referred to the use of solid organ transplantation, particularly the liver, to improve prognosis and quality of life in cancer patients. In unresectable, liver-only metastases from neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the digestive tract, liver transplantation represents a competitive chance of cure. Due to the limited resource of donated organs, accurate patients' selection is crucial in order to maximize transplant benefit. Several tumor- and patient-related factors should be considered. Among them, primary tumors with a low grade of differentiation (G1-G2 or Ki67 < 10%), located in a region drained by the portal system and removed before transplantation with at least 3–6 months period of disease stability observed before transplant listing, can be considered for transplantation. In case of NET located in the pancreas, extended lymphadenectomy should complement curative pancreatic resection. A number of other features are described in this review of liver transplantation for NET metastases. Comprehensive approach including various forms of non-surgical treatment and detailed planning and timing of total hepatectomy are discussed. Open issues remain on possible expansion of current criteria while maintaining the same long-term benefit demonstrated with the Milan NET criteria with respect to other non-transplant options, with particular reference to liver resection, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and locoregional and systemic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We compared CT and MRI for staging metastatic colorectal or neuroendocrine liver metastases (CRLMs and NELMs, respectively). Data from 76 patients (42 CRLMs; 34 NELMs) were analyzed, with two blinded radiologists (R1 and R2) independently assessing the images. For CRLMs, CT and MRI showed no significant differences in lesion number or size. However, in NELMs, Eovist®-enhanced MRI detected more lesions (p = 0.02) and smaller lesions (p = 0.03) than CT. In conclusion, CT and MRI are equivalent for CRLMs, but for NELMs, MRI outperforms CT, potentially impacting treatment planning and surgery. Background: We compared CT and MRI for staging metastatic colorectal or neuroendocrine liver metastases (CRLMs and NELMs, respectively) to assess their impact on tumor burden. Methods: A prospectively maintained database was queried for patients who underwent both imaging modalities within 3 months, with two blinded radiologists (R1 and R2) independently assessing the images for liver lesions. To minimize recall bias, studies were grouped by modality, and were randomized and evaluated separately. Results: Our query yielded 76 patients (42 CRLMs; 34 NELMs) with low interrater variability (intraclass correlation coefficients: CT = 0.941, MRI = 0.975). For CRLMs, there were no significant differences in lesion number or size between CT and MRI. However, in NELMs, Eovist®-enhanced MRI detected more lesions (R1: 14.3 vs. 12.1, p = 0.02; R2: 14.4 vs. 12.4, p = 0.01) and smaller lesions (R1: 5.7 vs. 4.4, p = 0.03; R2: 4.8 vs. 2.9, p = 0.02) than CT. Conclusions: CT and MRI are equivalent for CRLMs, but for NELMs, MRI outperforms CT in detecting more and smaller lesions, potentially influencing treatment planning and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The choice of the surgical and therapeutic approach for patients suffering from neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) plays a central role in the therapeutic strategy. Whilst debulking surgery is widely accepted as an alternative approach for eligible patients, its prognostic influence remains a point of discussion. With the advent of minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS), its applicability for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors has scarcely been described. Here, we aimed to investigate different surgical strategies in the multimodal treatment of NELM, including minimally invasive approaches. Tumor debulking showed comparable survival outcomes to curative intended liver surgery, and MILS was not inferior to open liver surgery in terms of survival rates and as such should be recommended also in patients with NELM. Indications for liver resection in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) vary from liver resection with curative intent to tumor debulking or tissue sampling for histopathological characterization. With increasing expertise, the number of minimally invasive liver surgeries (MILS) in GEP-NET patients has increased. However, the influence on the oncological outcome has hardly been described. The clinicopathological data of patients who underwent liver resection for hepatic metastases of GEP-NET at the Department of Surgery, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to compare MILS with open liver surgery (OLS). In total, 22 patients underwent liver surgery with curative intent, and 30 debulking surgeries were analyzed. Disease-free survival (DFS) was longer than progression-free survival (PFS) (10 vs. 24 months), whereas overall survival (OS) did not differ significantly (p = 0.588). Thirty-nine (75%) liver resections were performed as OLS, and thirteen (25%) as MILS. After PSM, a shorter length of hospital stay was found for the MILS group (14 vs. 10 d, p = 0.034), while neither DFS/PFS nor OS differed significantly. Both curative intended and cytoreductive resection of hepatic GEP-NET metastases achieved excellent outcomes. MILS led to a reduced length of hospital, while preserving a good oncological outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: This review outlines the role of liver transplantation in selected patients with unresectable neuroendocrine tumour liver metastases. It discusses the international consensus on eligibility criteria and outlines the efforts taking place in the UK and Ireland to develop effective national liver transplant programmes for neuroendocrine tumour patients. Recent Findings: In the early history of liver transplantation, indications included cancer metastases to the liver as well as primaries of liver origin. Often, liver transplantation was a salvage procedure. The early results were disappointing, including in patients with neuroendocrine tumours. These data discouraged the widespread adoption of liver transplantation for neuroendocrine tumour liver metastases (NET LM). A few centres persisted in performing liver transplantation for patients with NET LM and in determining parameters predictive of good outcomes. Their work has provided evidence for benefit of liver transplantation in a selected group of patients with NET LM. Summary: Liver transplantation for NET LM is now accepted as a valid indication by many professional bodies, including the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). It is nevertheless rarely utilised. The UK and the Republic of Ireland are commencing a pilot programme of liver transplantation in selected patients. This programme will help develop the expertise and infrastructure to make liver transplantation for NET LM a routine procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroendocrine liver metastases (LM-NEN) develop in a considerable proportion of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. There is a paucity of experimental models that accurately recapitulate this complex metastatic human liver microenvironment precluding scientific and clinical advancements. Here, we describe the development of a novel personalised immunocompetent precision cut tumour slice (PCTS) model for LM-NEN using resected human liver tissue. The histological assessment throughout the culture demonstrated that slices maintain viability for at least 7 days and retain the cellular heterogeneity of the original tumour. Essential clinical features, such as patient-specific histoarchitecture, tumour grade, neuroendocrine differentiation and metabolic capacity, are preserved in the slices. The PCTS also replicate the tumor-specific immunological profile as shown by the innate and adaptive immunity markers analysis. Furthermore, the study of soluble immune checkpoint receptors in the culture supernatants proves that these immunomodulators are actively produced by LM-NEN and suggests that this process is epithelium-dependent. This model can be employed to investigate these pathways and provides a powerful platform for mechanistic, immunological and pre-clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroendocrine liver metastases (LM-NEN) develop in a considerable proportion of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. There is a paucity of experimental models that accurately recapitulate this complex metastatic human liver microenvironment precluding scientific and clinical advancements. Here, we describe the development of a novel personalised immunocompetent precision cut tumour slice (PCTS) model for LM-NEN using resected human liver tissue. The histological assessment throughout the culture demonstrated that slices maintain viability for at least 7 days and retain the cellular heterogeneity of the original tumour. Essential clinical features, such as patient-specific histoarchitecture, tumour grade, neuroendocrine differentiation and metabolic capacity, are preserved in the slices. The PCTS also replicate the tumor-specific immunological profile as shown by the innate and adaptive immunity markers analysis. Furthermore, the study of soluble immune checkpoint receptors in the culture supernatants proves that these immunomodulators are actively produced by LM-NEN and suggests that this process is epithelium-dependent. This model can be employed to investigate these pathways and provides a powerful platform for mechanistic, immunological and pre-clinical studies.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) for neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) is still in debate. Studies comparing LT with liver resection (LR) for NELM are scarce, as patient selection is heterogeneous and experience is limited. The goal of this review was to provide a critical analysis of the evidence on LT versus LR in the treatment of NELM., Data Sources: A scoping literature search on LT and LR for NELM was performed with PubMed, including English articles up to March 2023., Results: International guidelines recommend LR for NELM in resectable, well-differentiated tumors in the absence of extrahepatic metastatic disease with superior results of LR compared to systemic or liver-directed therapies. Advanced liver surgery has extended resectability criteria whilst entailing increased perioperative risk and short disease-free survival. In highly selected patients (based on the Milan criteria) with unresectable NELM, oncologic results of LT are promising. Prognostic factors include tumor biology (G1/G2) and burden, waiting time for LT, patient age and extrahepatic spread. Based on low-level evidence, LT for low-grade NELM within the Milan criteria resulted in improved disease-free survival and overall survival compared to LR. The benefits of LT were lost in patients beyond the Milan NELM-criteria., Conclusions: With adherence to strict selection criteria especially tumor biology, LT for NELM is becoming a valuable option providing oncologic benefits compared to LR. Recent evidence suggests even stricter selection criteria with regard to tumor biology., (Copyright © 2023 First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine outcomes of primary tumor resection in metastatic neuroendocrine tumors across all primary tumor sites. Background: Primary tumor resection (PTR) may offer a survival benefit in metastatic gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs); however, few studies have examined the effect of primary site and grade on resection and survival. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with metastatic GI-NETs at presentation between 2005 and 2011 using the California Cancer Registry (ccR) dataset merged with california Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) inpatient longitudinal database. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate (MV) analyses were performed using the Pearson Chi-squared tests and Cox proportional hazard, respectively. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: A total of 854 patients with GI-NET metastases on presentation underwent 392 PTRs. Liver metastases occurred in 430 patients; 240 received liver treatment(s). PTR improved OS in patients with untreated metastases (median survival 10 vs 38 months, P < 0.001). On MV analysis adjusted for demographics, tumor stage, grade, chemotherapy use, Charlson comorbidity index, primary tumor location, or treatment of liver metastases, PTR with/ without liver treatment improved OS in comparison to no treatment [hazard ratio (HR) 0.50, P < 0.001 and 0.39, P < 0.001, respectively]. PTR offered a survival benefit across all grades (low-grade, HR 0.38, P = 0.002 and high-grade, HR 0.62, P = 0.025) Conclusion: PTR in GI-NET is associated with a better survival, with or without liver treatment, irrespective of grade. This study supports the resection of the primary tumor in patients with metastatic GI-NETs, independent of liver treatment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumors (MNETs) frequently present with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Although combined resection of the primary MNET and liver metastases (NELM) is usually recommended for appropriate surgical candidates, primary tumor resection (PTR) in the setting of extensive, inoperable metastatic disease remains controversial.Methods: A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines utilizing Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane library-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases until September 30, 2018.Results: Among patients with MNET and NELM, 1226 (68.4%; range, 35.5-85.1% per study) underwent PTR, whereas 567 (31.6%; range, 14.9-64.5%) patients did not. Median follow-up ranged from 55 to 90 months. Cytoreductive liver surgery was performed in approximately 15.7% (range, 0-34.8%) of patients. Pooled 5-year overall survival (OS) among the resected group was approximately 73.1% (range, 57-81%) versus 36.6% (range, 21-46%) for the non-resection group. For patients without liver debulking surgery, PTR remained associated with a decreased risk of death at 5 years compared with patients who did not have the primary tumor resected (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.79, p = 0.01; I2 58%, p = 0.12). For patients undergoing PTR, 30-day postoperative mortality ranged from 1.43 to 2%.Conclusion: PTR was safe with a low peri-operative risk of mortality and was associated with an improved OS for patients with MNET and unresectable NELM. Given the poor quality of evidence, however, strong evidenced-based recommendations cannot be made based on these retrospective single center-derived data. Future well-design randomized controlled trials will be critical in elucidating the optimal treatment strategies for patients with MNET and advanced metastatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a relatively rare category of cancers that arise in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and other organs. Extended hepatectomies including resection of multiple organs are often necessary to achieve negative margins. Methods We performed a review of patients undergoing liver resection for NET liver metastases from 2005 to 2015 using National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. We compared patients undergoing hepatectomy alone (HA) versus hepatectomy and a concomitant GI surgery procedure (colorectal, small bowel, and pancreatic) to evaluate postoperative infectious complications. Results During the study period, 354 patients underwent liver resection for metastatic NET. Hepatectomy alone was performed in 98 patients, and concomitant GI surgery was performed in 256 patients, including 83 colorectal resections (HCCR), 68 small bowel resections, 75 distal pancreatectomies, and 35 pancreaticoduodenectomies (HCPD). Infectious complications were more likely to occur in those undergoing HCPD (60%, P < 0.001), and HCCR (32.5%, P < 0.05) than in those undergoing HA (16.3%). Patients undergoing HCPD and HCCR had a 7.69-fold and 2.52-fold increased risk of infectious complication, respectively, compared with HA after adjustment for other infection risk factors. Conclusions Neuroendocrine liver metastases requiring liver resection with concomitant colorectal resection or pancreaticoduodenectomy are at significantly increased risk of developing infectious complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review evaluates the diagnostic efficacy of different morphological and functional imaging modalities (ultrasound [US], computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance [MR] imaging, scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography [PET]) in detecting neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM), assessing vascular and biliary involvement, and the presence of extrahepatic disease. MR imaging is superior for depicting NELM compared to US, CT, and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging is more sensitive for detecting NELM than both T2-weighted and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR sequences, and should be systematically performed. Similarly, gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging is more sensitive for detecting liver metastases than conventional extracellular gadolinium chelate-enhanced MR sequences. Its role in detecting NELM remains investigational but appears promising. Somatostatin receptor-targeted PET/CT is a highly effective approach in assessing the resectability of well-differentiated NELM due to very high specificity (and high sensitivity) and its ability to detect small volume extrahepatic disease; this molecular imaging modality is becoming increasingly available in and outside Europe after the recent approval of 68 68-DOTATATE in the US. In addition, the information from multiphase, contrast-enhanced CT with 3D reconstruction - obtained concurrently with the information on somatostatin receptor expression of the metastases - is very helpful in planning the extent and type of resection of NELM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in patients with unresectable liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumours (NETLMs). Methods: This retrospective study included 40 patients with progressive NETLMs (22 women, 18 men, mean age 61.6 years) who underwent SIRT with Y-labelled resin microspheres. Tumour response was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) on CT or MR images. Medical records were reviewed. Results: In the 40 patients, 54 evaluable SIRT procedures were performed, 33 to the right liver lobe (mean activity 1.31 GBq), 13 to the left lobe (mean activity 0.85 GBq), and 8 to both lobes (mean activity 1.61 GBq). Late follow-up imaging (mean 20 months) was performed after 44 of the treatments. Objective tumour response and disease control rates were 54 % (29 of 54 treatments) and 94 % (51 treatments), respectively, at the early follow-up examination (mean 3 months) and 34 % (15 treatments) and 57 % (25 treatments), respectively at the late follow-up examination. Mean overall survival from the first SIRT was 34,8 months and survival rates at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years were 76 %, 59 %, 52 % and 35 % respectively. Adverse effects were generally mild and easily manageable, except in one patient who died from radiation-induced liver failure. Of the 45 patients, 18 (45 %) had received peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) prior to SIRT. Conclusion: SIRT with Y-labelled resin microspheres is a safe and effective treatment for patients with progressive NETLM, and also for those who have received prior PRRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to 80% of colorectal, melanoma, and neuroendocrine liver metastases are unresectable due to excessive tumor burden. Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) administers intensive therapy to the liver while limiting systemic toxicity and thus may have an important role in the management of unresectable liver metastases. This review s describes the development of IHP, initial clinical results, open and percutaneous IHP techniques, and contemporary long-term treatment outcomes. IHP with melphalan or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) has been shown to achieve hepatic response rates of greater than 50% with progression-free survival of greater than 12 months among patients with refractory ocular melanoma liver metastases. The only series describing outcomes of IHP for neuroendocrine liver metastases notes an overall response rate of 50% and a median actuarial overall survival of 48 months after IHP treatment with melphalan or TNFα. The majority of studies that have evaluated IHP have been performed in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). In aggregate, survival results from retrospective studies and phase I/II clinical trials suggest that IHP demonstrated no significant survival benefit compared with systemic chemotherapy alone as first-line therapy. In contrast, IHP does improve outcomes relative to that provided by second-line chemotherapy for CRCLM, with overall response rates of 60% and median duration of liver response of 12 months. Continued evaluation of IHP for unresectable liver metastases is necessary to establish its role in multidisciplinary treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: To define predictive parameters of long progression-free survival (PFS) in patients undergoing radioembolisation of neuroendocrine liver metastases. Methods: The following clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters of 45 radioembolised patients (median age, 62 years; range, 43-75) were reviewed: age, gender, levels of chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), primary tumour site, Ki-67 proliferation index, hepatic tumour load, number of metastases, signal intensity characteristics, vascularisation, haemorrhagic and necrotic transformation and fluid-fluid levels. PFS was assessed according to RECIST 1.0. Statistical analysis included univariate Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier and multivariate regression. Results: Median PFS was 727 days (95 % CI, 378-964). In the univariate regression analysis, hypovascular metastases progressed earlier (111 vs 727 days; P < 0.05). A Ki-67 ≤2 % was associated with a longer PFS than a Ki-67 of 3-20 % or >20 % (911 vs 727 vs 210 days, respectively; P < 0.05). Low NSE predicted longer PFS (911 vs 378 days; P < 0.05). In the adjusted multivariate analysis, vascularisation (hypervascularisation vs. no hypervascularisation; P = 0.0009) and NSE level (low vs high; P = 0.0119) had the strongest influence on PFS. Conclusion: Response to radioembolisation in patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases can be predicted by the metastatic vascularisation pattern, the NSE level and the Ki-67. Key Points: • Radioembolisation is an effective treatment in hepatic metastases of neuroendocrine origin. • Pre-therapeutic vascularisation patterns of metastases on MRI can predict long progression-free survival. • Assessment of pre-therapeutic markers provides better therapy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: The optimal method to evaluate response of neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) to radiation treatment (RT) is unknown; tumor perfusion parameters were evaluated by using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) to correlate with efficacy in a prospective pilot study utilizing everolimus with radiotherapy for NELM., Patients and Methods: Fourteen patients with progressive NELM received everolimus for 28 days prior to, concurrent with, and 14 days following radiation. Patients had a DCE-CT at baseline (t0), prior to radiation (t1) and 7 days after radiation (t2). Per lesion response was evaluated per standard response evaluation criteria (RECIST v1.1). Median statistics of the perfusion parameters were tabulated and included: blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), and permeability (PS). Correlations between the parameters and the maximum percent change in size of the NELM at 12-months were explored. NELM not treated with radiation served as an internal control., Results: Twenty-one treated NELM in 10 patients were evaluable. Compared to t0, BV increased at t1 (median 11%, range -15 to +37%, p=0.59), and then decreased significantly at t2 (median -8.4%, range -29 to +5.4%, p<0.03). A trend of increased BV in internal controls at each time point supports that the observed effect is due to radiation. Conventional objective response rate was 33%; no progression was seen within 12-months., Conclusion: Changes in DCE-CT were observed in patients receiving everolimus and radiation for NELM, with BV decreasing significantly following radiotherapy. Given the challenges in assessing response in NELM using traditional response evaluation criteria in any context, DCE-CT appears to be a promising modality., (Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) metastasis localized to the liver is an accepted indication for liver transplantation as such tumors have a low biological aggressiveness in terms of malignancy and are slow growing. The long-term results are comparable with and in some cases even better than those of transplantations performed for primary liver cancer. However, compared with nonmalignant conditions, neuroendocrine liver metastasis (NELM) may result in an inferior outcome of transplantation. In the face of the scarcity of donated organs and recent improved results of non-surgical treatment for NELM, controversy over patient selection and timing for liver transplantation continues. In this review, we provide an overview of the diagnostic work-up and selection criteria of patients with NELM being considered for liver transplantation. Thereafter, we provide a critical analysis of the reported outcomes of OLT. • Compared with nonmalignant conditions, neuroendocrine liver metastasis (NELM) may result in an inferior outcome of transplantation. • OLT provide a survival benefit among patients with NELM who have no evidence of extra-hepatic disease. • Due to high recurrence rates, strict and accurate selection of patients is critical. • Only gastrointestinal tumors with portal drainage can be considered to have the liver as the first destination for metastasis. • The best reported outcomes from surgical NELM treatment appear to be observed in patients undergoing OLT according to Milan selection criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review evaluates the diagnostic efficacy of different morphological and functional imaging modalities (ultrasound [US], computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance [MR] imaging, scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography [PET]) in detecting neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM), assessing vascular and biliary involvement, and the presence of extrahepatic disease. MR imaging is superior for depicting NELM compared to US, CT, and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging is more sensitive for detecting NELM than both T2-weighted and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR sequences, and should be systematically performed. Similarly, gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging is more sensitive for detecting liver metastases than conventional extracellular gadolinium chelate-enhanced MR sequences. Its role in detecting NELM remains investigational but appears promising. Somatostatin receptor-targeted PET/CT is a highly effective approach in assessing the resectability of well-differentiated NELM due to very high specificity (and high sensitivity) and its ability to detect small volume extrahepatic disease; this molecular imaging modality is becoming increasingly available in and outside Europe after the recent approval of 6868-DOTATATE in the US. In addition, the information from multiphase, contrast-enhanced CT with 3D reconstruction - obtained concurrently with the information on somatostatin receptor expression of the metastases - is very helpful in planning the extent and type of resection of NELM., (© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a group of rare, heterogeneous neoplasms that have been increasing in incidence the past few decades largely because of the diagnosis of pancreatic incidentalomas on cross-sectional imaging. Although these tumors are classically associated with clinical syndromes that result from excess secretion of particular hormones, most pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are nonfunctional tumors presenting with symptoms secondary to mass effect, metastatic disease, or as incidental findings. This article reviews the diagnostic algorithm, surgical management, and available systemic therapies for nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)