Neuroendocrine tumors in Panama: A nationwide database analysis

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) comprise a heterogenous group of rare malignancies, which are increasing in incidence worldwide. To further understand the epidemiology of NETs in the Republic of Panama, the present study used two study groups, which included patients from several hospitals and clinics throughout the country, who were referred to the three largest national reference centers: The Complejo Hospitalario Metropolitano, Hospital Santo Tomas and Instituto Oncologico Nacional. These two groups comprised a retrospective cohort, which included cases reported between 2016 and 2017, and a second cohort, which was retrospective, but data were continuously collected from patients diagnosed with NETs between 2018 and 2019. Data from 157 patients with NETs reported that 83% of patients were in the 40-80 years old age group. The majority of cases (46%) presented as grade G1 tumors, while 29% were G3. Computerized tomography scans with contrast, and analysis of the Ki-67 biomarker and immunohistology markers (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) was performed in the majority of the cases. The results revealed that the most frequent anatomical sites for the primary tumor were the colorectum (17.2%), pancreas (12.7%) and stomach (12.1%), and the most frequent organ with metastasis was the liver, accounting for 34% of all cases. In conclusion, the present study is the first comprehensive study of NET in Panama to the best of our knowledge, which provides evidence of the demographic characteristics of the population, clinical features and overall survival for the affected population in this Central American country.

Neuroendocrine Tumors: An Analysis of Prevalence, Incidence, and Survival in a Hospital-Based Study in Ecuador

“…The NET primary tumor sites were found in the gastroenteropancreatic system and the small bowel [ 20 ]. Recently, two cohorts were evaluated in Panamá between 2016 and 2019, with NET occurrence at a mean age of 60 years, with a diagnosis grade of G1, and with the liver as the organ most affected [ 21 ]. Finally, a Brazilian registry of 1000 patients was evaluated over 33.7 months; the survival rate in the study was 29.3%, and the prevalence was 71.6% for thoracic NETs and 20.2% for gastroenteropancreatic tumors [ 18 ].…”