Large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer(LCNEC) is the rare subtype of nonsmall cell lung cancer. Because of its low incidence rate and the special biological behaviour, it is hard to define in pathology. And we also know little about its epidemiological feature and the purposeful therapy view of LCNEC, and the therapeutic effect is unsatisfactory. This article will review and introduce the advance of research, clinical diagnosis and therapeutic of the LCNEC.
Objective To summary the pathological classification, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatments of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GE-NETs). Methods Domestic and international literatures were collected to summary the status of clinical researches and treatments of GE-NETs. Results GE-NETs derived from enterochromaffin cells throughout the gut which had the function of amine precursor uptake decarboxylase (APUD). These tumors secreted discrete bioactive substances and produced characteristic immunohistochemical patterns, making patients to manifest endocrine syndrome. But there were no unified standards on the diagnosis, grade, TNM classification, and prognosis of GE-NETs. Early diagnosis rate of GE-NETs was low, and most of tumors were asymptomatic and detected at late stage, with a tendency to metastasize to the liver. Imaging examation was important in early diagnosis of GE-NETs. Surgery was the traditional first-line therapy and the only possible curative approach. Somatostatin analogues, such as long-term-release (LAR) octreotide, could relieve the hormonal symptoms, slow down the tumor growth, and had shown synergistic antiproliferative activity in combination with biological agent everolimus. Conclusions The lack of standardized classification and an incomplete understanding of this disease are some of the impediments to the progress of treatment. Individualized comprehensive therapy is the aim of the future treatment.
Objective To approach the recent advances in diagnosis and surgical treatment of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs). Methods Articles relevant to diagnosis and treatment of PETs were collected and reviewed. Results PETs are characterized by their ability to over-produce peptides and hormones, which cause specific clinical syndromes. Because of rare incidence and complex clinical syndromes, there are still impediments to early diagnosis of these tumors. Monitoring of serum hormones and imaging method allow early tumor detection. PETs have been investigated for the past several decades. With the great knowledge of these tumors in molecular genetic level, clinical managements have been greatly changed. Conclusions Avoiding misdiagnosis is important for treatment of PETs. Surgical approach is still considered as the preferred option for curtailing the malignant progression of PETs and controlling the associated biochemical syndromes.