Discovery of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Subtypes Could Help Predict Likelihood of Recurrence
Researchers have discovered two distinct subtypes of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors – known as pNETs – that have dramatically different risks of recurrence following surgical treatment [or surgery]. The finding could yield predictive tests, ease anxiety in patients whose tumors are found to be unlikely to recur, while focusing vigilant follow-up monitoring on patients with pNETs having a higher rate of recurrence.
Until now, these pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors were viewed as relatively identical from a clinical point of view. While some pNETs never develop recurrent metastases following removal of the primary tumor, other patients experience recurrence within a few years, and there has been no specific way to predict these outcomes. Read more . . .