Open Access

Unknown‑primary neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed by short‑acting somatostatin test: Case series in one institution

  • Authors:
    • Tsung-Kun Chang
    • Wei-Chih Su
    • Yen-Cheng Chen
    • Po-Jung Chen
    • Ching-Chun Li
    • Yung-Sung Yeh
    • Ching-Wen Huang
    • Hsiang-Lin Tsai
    • Jaw-Yuan Wang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 16, 2022     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11708
  • Article Number: 9
  • Copyright: © Chang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a rare heterogeneous group of neoplasms that arise from neuroendocrine cells. Unknown‑primary NENs (UP‑NENs) are particularly challenging to diagnose and treat. Techniques such as immunohistochemical stains, functional imaging studies, and molecular cancer classifier assays may help clinicians identify the origin of a tumor. However, numerous medical facilities lack the necessary medical equipment, such as functional imaging scanning, to provide patients with a complete primary tumor survey. Even these tests are not enough to determine the original tumor in some cases. The present case series described the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of patients with UP‑NEN in a single institution. The medical records of four patients treated between November 2012 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed and clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, image findings and treatment modalities were considered. All patients were diagnosed having functional UP‑NENs by using a short‑acting somatostatin test. These patients were treated with long‑acting release somatostatin analogs along with a positive result. Short‑acting somatostatin is an alternatively simple method to determine if a patient has UP‑NENs that are functional or expresses somatostatin receptors in the absence of imaging scanning.
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January-2023
Volume 25 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Chang T, Su W, Chen Y, Chen P, Li C, Yeh Y, Huang C, Tsai H and Wang J: Unknown‑primary neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed by short‑acting somatostatin test: Case series in one institution. Exp Ther Med 25: 9, 2023
APA
Chang, T., Su, W., Chen, Y., Chen, P., Li, C., Yeh, Y. ... Wang, J. (2023). Unknown‑primary neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed by short‑acting somatostatin test: Case series in one institution. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 25, 9. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11708
MLA
Chang, T., Su, W., Chen, Y., Chen, P., Li, C., Yeh, Y., Huang, C., Tsai, H., Wang, J."Unknown‑primary neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed by short‑acting somatostatin test: Case series in one institution". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 25.1 (2023): 9.
Chicago
Chang, T., Su, W., Chen, Y., Chen, P., Li, C., Yeh, Y., Huang, C., Tsai, H., Wang, J."Unknown‑primary neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed by short‑acting somatostatin test: Case series in one institution". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 25, no. 1 (2023): 9. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11708