title: Gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors: clinical characterization before therapy.
abstract: Gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors (GEP ETs) constitute a spectrum of tumors that arise throughout the entire body but are drawn together under a common definition based on the expression of proteins derived from granules, vesicles, or both. GEP ET characterization is dependent on the primary tumor, and encompasses various factors: the WHO classification; hormone-related symptom recognition; hormone marker measurements; screening for inherited syndromes; staging; and somatostatin receptor characterization. Hypervascularization and somatostatin expression constitute major features of endocrine tumors that affect diagnosis, imaging, and therapy. GEP ET prognosis is characterized by its diversity, including a subgroup of patients with slowly progressive disease even at the metastatic stage. Prognosis assessment is mainly based on WHO classification and staging. A second cancer and cardiovascular comorbidity might also play a major prognostic part when present. Mastery of several key points analyzed in this Review, to be applied during the diagnostic and prognostic processes, is essential for defining a tailored therapeutic management.
authors.affiliation: Service de Medécine Nucléaire et Oncologie Endocrinienne, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France. baudin@igr.fr
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baudin
mesh_terms: D004701:Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin