title: A systematic review of diagnostic procedures to detect midgut neuroendocrine tumors.
abstract: The aim of this work was to assess the diagnostic yield of some clinical diagnostic procedures utilized to establish a diagnosis of midgut neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Medical databases published between 1982 and 2007 were analyzed. Seventeen observational studies, including 629 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Urinary 5-HIAA is the first test to prescribe in patients with flushing or persistent, unexplained diarrhea. Abdominal CT scan and OctreoScan should be prescribed whenever NET is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncological Surgery, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), Padova, Italy. marcoscarpa73@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prando
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pozza
authors.forename: Elisa Degli
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Esposti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castoro
authors.forename: Imerio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Angriman
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004064:Digestive System / Q000473:pathology*; D019858:Enteroendocrine Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis*