Lung neuroendocrine tumors: A systematic literature review (Review)

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can have multiple localizations in the human body however, most often, it appears in the in thorax at tracheobronchial tree and the thymus. NETs are a group of tumors with heterogenous malignancy that evolve from neuroendocrine cells, with the lung being the second target organ after the gastrointestinal tract. These rare tumors are usually asymptomatic and non-functional with little information regarding incidence in the specialty literature. The main purpose of this review, was the analysis of the available literature in all aspects while mainly focusing on molecular diagnosis data and secondly, by using this molecular landscape to establish a differentiation of lung neuroendocrine tumors (LNETs). By analyzing the literature, new data were revealed regarding histological evaluation, genetic aberrations, prognosis depending on the type of LNET and therapeutic options that derive from these. Efficient management of these tumors is essential in the handling of symptoms and increase in life expectancy, especially in patients with functional tumors. Histological differentiation of LNETs is important in establishing proper therapeutic options and prognosis. Combined types of LNETs remain a controversial topic of discussion regarding diagnosis and treatment, a topic on which further studies are required in order to improve diagnosis in this group of tumors with heterogenous malignancy. Contents1. Introduction 2. Materials and methods 3. Epidemiology 4. Classification 5. Precursor lesions 6. Clinical features 7. Tumor staging 8. Biological landscape of lung neuroendocrine tumors (LNETs) 9. Radiological diagnosis 10. Surgical treatment 11. Advanced LNETs therapy 12. Conclusions

Real-world clinicopathological outcome of bronchopulmonary carcinoids with lymph node metastasis received radical surgery：A single-centre retrospective study in the last 22 Years in China

“…The median age of surgery was 45 years old in our study, which was consistent with other reported literatures [33] . Many authors have reported that age at the time of diagnosis is a signi cant prognostic factor for OS, and our results support that also.…”

Patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome might have a better prognosis in bronchopulmonary carcinoids with lymph node metastasis received radical surgery: a single-centre retrospective study in the last 22 years in China

“…The median age of surgery was 45 years old in our study, which was consistent with other reported literatures [33]. Many authors have reported that age at the time of diagnosis is a significant prognostic factor for OS, and our results support that also.…”

Progressive neuroendocrine tumor of lung with combined categories in metastatic site: a case report

“…But they are different in some aspects such as incidence rate, symptoms, imaging features. Compared with LCNEC, SCLC constitutes higher proportion of all lung cancers, has higher risk of paraneoplastic syndromes, more frequently occurs lymph node metastases and tumor progression when diagnosis (9)(10)(11). In radiological evaluation, LCNEC is typically peripheral lung lesions which may present lung nodules, whereas SCLC often presents central type of lung mass (12,13).…”