Improving Life Expectancy in Patients with Liver Metastases from Neuroendocrine Tumours
Author Information
Author(s): Veenendaal Liesbeth M, Rinkes Inne HM Borel, Lips Cornelis JM, van Hillegersberg Richard
Primary Institution: University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hypothesis
Can early reduction of tumour load improve life expectancy in patients with neuroendocrine hepatic metastases?
Conclusion
Tailored treatment using local ablative therapies early in the disease can postpone or prevent severe complications from neuroendocrine hepatic metastases.
Supporting Evidence
- Platelet serotonin and chromogranin A are useful biomarkers for detection and follow-up of neuroendocrine tumours.
- Surgical debulking can reduce hormonal symptoms but is often not possible due to the extent of disease.
- Local ablation techniques like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can preserve normal liver tissue.
- Early treatment can postpone or eliminate the surgically untreatable stage of the disease.
Takeaway
Doctors can help people with liver cancer from neuroendocrine tumours live longer by treating them early with special techniques that shrink the tumours.
Methodology
A literature review was conducted to define optimal treatment strategies for patients with neuroendocrine hepatic metastases.
Limitations
The extent of disease often makes surgical resection impossible, and treatment effectiveness can vary among patients.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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