Abstract

VARGAS MARTINEZ, Cristian Camilo  and  CASTANO LLANO, Rodrigo. Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETS). Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2010, vol.25, n.2, pp.165-176. ISSN 0120-9957.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETS) are rare neoplasms which can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Their particular characteristics include uptake of silver salts, neuroendocrine cell marker expression and hormonal secretory granules. Depending on their size, anatomical location and upon whether or not metastasis has occurred, these tumors can show different clinical patterns and have different prognoses. Early diagnosis is essential for treating these lesions and improving the patients' prognoses, but it requires a high degree of suspicion and confirmation by special testing. Surgical treatment is the first choice, but other medical therapy can be helpful for patients who have unresectable disease. This review presents the most relevant aspects of classification, morphology, methods of locating tumors, diagnosis and treatment of GEP-NETS. It presents only the Colombian experience in the epidemiology and management of these tumors

Keywords : Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETS); carcinoid tumor; carcinoid syndrome; gastrinoma.

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