Clinical outcome and long-term survival in 118 consecutive patients with neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas

Background: The aim was to assess the clinical relevance of the World Health Organization and tumour node metastasis (TNM) classifications in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs). Methods: Prospectively collected data from 118 consecutive patients with a pNET receiving surgical intervention were analysed. Results: Forty‐one patients had well differentiated neuroendocrine tumours, 64 had well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas and 13 had poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. Five‐year survival rates were 95, 44 and 0 per cent respectively (P < 0·001). There was no difference in survival after R0 and R1/R2 resections in patients with neuroendocrine carcinomas (P = 0·905). In those with well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, any resection and having a clinically non‐functional tumour significantly increased survival (P = 0·003 and P = 0·037 respectively). The TNM stage was I in 37 patients, II in 15 patients, III in 32 patients and IV in 34 patients. There were significant differences in 5‐year survival between stage I and II (88 and 85 per cent respectively) and stage III and IV (31 and 42 per cent respectively) (P = 0·010). Conclusion: Both classifications accurately reflect the clinical outcome of patients with pNET. The resection status may not be critical for long‐term survival in patients with pNET. Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Resection status not critical