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pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma

Sunday 25 March 2012

neuroendocrine carcinomas of the pancreas

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the pancreas are rare malignant neoplasms with a poor prognosis.

Small cell NECs are genetically similar to large cell NECs, and these genetic changes are distinct from those reported in PanNETs. (22251937)

The finding of Bcl-2 overexpression in poorly differentiated NECs, particularly small cell NEC, suggests that Bcl-2 antagonists/inhibitors may be a viable treatment option for these patients. (22251937)

References

 Small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the pancreas are genetically similar and distinct from well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Yachida S, Vakiani E, White CM, Zhong Y, Saunders T, Morgan R, de Wilde RF, Maitra A, Hicks J, Demarzo AM, Shi C, Sharma R, Laheru D, Edil BH, Wolfgang CL, Schulick RD, Hruban RH, Tang LH, Klimstra DS, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA. Am J Surg Pathol. 2012 Feb;36(2):173-84. PMID: 22251937