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Critical updates in neuroendocrine tumors: Version 9 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Literature Information

DOI10.3322/caac.21840
PMID38685134
JournalCA: a cancer journal for clinicians
Impact Factor232.4
JCR QuartileQ1
Publication Year2024
Times Cited19
KeywordsAmerican Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) version 9, cancer staging protocols, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumor, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Literature TypeJournal Article, Review
ISSN0007-9235
Pages359-367
Issue74(4)
AuthorsAman Chauhan, Kelley Chan, Thorvardur R Halfdanarson, Andrew M Bellizzi, Guido Rindi, Dermot O'Toole, Phillip S Ge, Dhanpat Jain, Arvind Dasari, Daniel A Anaya, Emily Bergsland, Erik Mittra, Alice C Wei, Thomas A Hope, Ayse T Kendi, Samantha M Thomas, Sherlonda Flem, James Brierley, Elliot A Asare, Kay Washington, Chanjuan Shi

TL;DR

The AJCC staging system for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) has been updated to incorporate new classifications and advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, distinguishing grade 3 GEP-NETs from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma and recommending against the use of serum chromogranin A for diagnosis and monitoring. This revision emphasizes the growing importance of endoscopic techniques in managing GEP-NETs and introduces a new staging category, highlighting the need for ongoing collaboration among experts to refine cancer staging definitions.

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American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) version 9 · cancer staging protocols · gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors · gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumor · pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor

Abstract

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for all cancer sites, including gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), is meant to be dynamic, requiring periodic updates to optimize AJCC staging definitions. This entails the collaboration of experts charged with evaluating new evidence that supports changes to each staging system. GEP-NETs are the second most prevalent neoplasm of gastrointestinal origin after colorectal cancer. Since publication of the AJCC eighth edition, the World Health Organization has updated the classification and separates grade 3 GEP-NETs from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. In addition, because of major advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for GEP-NETs, AJCC version 9 advocates against the use of serum chromogranin A for the diagnosis and monitoring of GEP-NETs. Furthermore, AJCC version 9 recognizes the increasing role of endoscopy and endoscopic resection in the diagnosis and management of NETs, particularly in the stomach, duodenum, and colorectum. Finally, T1NXM0 has been added to stage I in these disease sites as well as in the appendix.

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Primary Questions Addressed

  1. How do the recent updates in the AJCC staging system impact the treatment protocols for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors?
  2. What are the implications of separating grade 3 GEP-NETs from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma in clinical practice?
  3. How has the role of endoscopy evolved in the management of neuroendocrine tumors, particularly in light of AJCC version 9 updates?
  4. What are the challenges associated with the discontinuation of serum chromogranin A for diagnosis and monitoring of GEP-NETs?
  5. In what ways do the updates in the AJCC staging system reflect the advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for GEP-NETs?

Key Findings

Research Background and Objectives

The AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) staging system is critical for categorizing various cancers, including gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Given the evolving nature of cancer treatment and diagnosis, periodic updates to the staging definitions are essential. This study aims to review the recent changes to the AJCC staging system for GEP-NETs and highlight the implications of these updates based on new evidence and advancements in medical technology.

Main Methods/Materials/Experimental Design

The review incorporates expert evaluations and consensus on the changes in the AJCC staging system. Key updates from the eighth to the ninth edition are discussed, particularly focusing on the separation of grade 3 GEP-NETs from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma, as well as advancements in diagnostic technologies.

Mermaid diagram

Key Results and Findings

  • Classification Update: The WHO's revised classification distinguishes grade 3 GEP-NETs from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma.
  • Diagnostic Changes: AJCC version 9 recommends against using serum chromogranin A for diagnosing and monitoring GEP-NETs.
  • Role of Endoscopy: The increased importance of endoscopic techniques for the diagnosis and management of NETs, especially in specific gastrointestinal sites, is acknowledged.
  • Staging Revision: Introduction of T1NXM0 into stage I for GEP-NETs in the stomach, duodenum, colorectum, and appendix.

Main Conclusions/Significance/Innovativeness

The updates to the AJCC staging system for GEP-NETs reflect significant advancements in the understanding and management of these tumors. The separation of grade 3 GEP-NETs from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma provides clearer diagnostic criteria, while the shift away from serum chromogranin A aligns with current diagnostic practices. Additionally, recognizing the role of endoscopy in management signifies a shift towards less invasive techniques, which may improve patient outcomes.

Research Limitations and Future Directions

  • Limitations: The study primarily focuses on the updates without extensive empirical validation of the new recommendations. Future research may be needed to assess the impact of these changes on clinical outcomes.
  • Future Directions: Further investigations should explore the long-term implications of these updates on patient management and survival rates, as well as the integration of emerging diagnostic technologies in clinical practice.
AspectDetails
Classification UpdateGrade 3 GEP-NETs separated from poorly differentiated NEC
Diagnostic ChangesSerum chromogranin A no longer recommended
Role of EndoscopyIncreased emphasis on endoscopic diagnosis and management
Staging RevisionT1NXM0 added to stage I for specific sites

References

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Literatures Citing This Work

  1. AJCC Cancer Staging System Version 9: Practice-Informing Updates for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. - Kelley Chan;Aman Chauhan;Chanjuan Shi - Annals of surgical oncology (2024)
  2. Pathological Features Associated with Lymph Node Disease in Patients with Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumors. - Salvador Rodriguez Franco;Sumaya Abdul Ghaffar;Ying Jin;Reed Weiss;Mona Hamermesh;Andrii Khomiak;Toshitaka Sugawara;Oskar Franklin;Alexis D Leal;Christopher H Lieu;Richard D Schulick;Marco Del Chiaro;Steven Ahrendt;Martin D McCarter;Ana L Gleisner - Cancers (2024)
  3. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Classification and Novel Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Diagnosis and Treatment Personalization. - Matteo Tacelli;Stefano Partelli;Massimo Falconi;Paolo Giorgio Arcidiacono;Gabriele Capurso - United European gastroenterology journal (2025)
  4. NON-FUNCTIONING SPORADIC PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOR IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR RECURRENCE AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT. - Estela Regina Ramos Figueira;André Luis Montagnini;Jessica Okubo;Ana Gabriela Vivarelli Fernandes;Marina Alessandra Pereira;Ulysses Ribeiro Junior;Paulo Herman;José Jukemura - Arquivos brasileiros de cirurgia digestiva : ABCD = Brazilian archives of digestive surgery (2025)
  5. Development and validation of predictive models for distant metastasis and prognosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. - Xuan-Peng Zhou;Luan-Biao Sun;Wen-Hao Liu;Xin-Yuan Song;Yang Gao;Jian-Peng Xing;Shuo-Hui Gao - Scientific reports (2025)
  6. Duodenal neuroendocrine tumours masquerading as peptic duodenitis, crushed lymphoid aggregates and prominent Brunner glands: some diagnostic pitfalls. - Lena Hasson;Dipti M Karamchandani - Histopathology (2025)
  7. Clinicopathological Correlates of Hormone Expression-Based Subtypes of Non-Functioning Duodenal/Ampullary Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Multicenter Study of 151 Cases. - Alessandro Vanoli;Nestor Piva;Frediano Socrate Inzani;Federica Grillo;Catherine Klersy;Silvia Uccella;Paola Spaggiari;Luca Albarello;Marco Schiavo Lena;Massimo Milione;Caterina Antoniacomi;Anna Caterina Milanetto;Alessandro Zerbi;Antonio Di Sabatino;Massimo Falconi;Andrea Anderloni;Paola Mattiolo;Claudio Luchini;Aldo Scarpa;Matteo Fassan;Paola Parente;Ombretta Luinetti;Guido Rindi;Marco Paulli;Stefano La Rosa - Endocrine pathology (2025)
  8. Machine learning predicts prognosis in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases. - Fuli Gao;Jian Chen;Xiaodan Xu - Discover oncology (2025)
  9. Metabolic changes in neuroendocrine neoplasms. - Chunhua Hu;Lingyi Chen;Yi Ding;Mujie Ye;Qiyun Tang - Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS (2025)
  10. Prognosis of NETs: Has There Been Improvement over the Last 30 Years? - Dominique Clement;Debashis Sarker;Aviva Frydman;Andrzej Rak;Vina Soran;David C Llewellyn;Raj Srirajaskanthan - Neuroendocrinology (2025)

... (9 more literatures)


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