Objective: The aim of the study was to present clinical outcomes of patients with malignant pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET) following surgical resection with curative intent. Clinical and pathological factors that influenced the outcomes were also analysed.
Design: Retrospective case note study.
Patients: All patients with pancreatic NET that underwent surgery over a 7-year period (1999-2006).
Results: Twelve patients were identified with a median age at diagnosis of 54 years (range: 24-79 years). Common presenting symptoms include abdominal pain (n=8) and weight loss (n=3). Overall morbidity was 25% with one post-operative death. The median follow-up period was 41 months (range: 9-156 months). The overall 2- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 88% and 70%, respectively. The overall survival was better in patients treated with surgery compared to patients managed medically (P<0.001). The disease-free survival rates were 62% at 2 and 5 years, respectively. Recurrent disease occurred in four patients and the median disease-free interval was 6 months (range: 3-14 months). On univariate analysis, angio-invasion (P=0.015) and degree of differentiation (P=0.024) were associated with developing recurrent disease.
Conclusion: Surgical resection of malignant pancreatic NET results in good long-term survival in selected patients.