Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the biliary tree, liver and pancreas: a pathological approach
Claudio Luchini, Giuseppe Pelosi, Aldo Scarpa, Paola Mattiolo, Deborah Marchiori, Roberta Maragliano, Fausto Sessa, Silvia Uccella
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreatobiliary tract and liver are a heterogeneous group that encompass a spectrum of entities with distinct morphological, biological and clinical features. Although in the various anatomical sub-sites of this region they show specific characteristics, these tumors, as a whole, share several etiological and clinical aspects. This review systematically addresses NENs arising in the extrahepatic bile ducts, gallbladder, liver and pancreas, with the principal aim of pinpointing essential diagnostic and classification issues. In addition, the section on hepatic NENs has been expanded to include metastatic disease of unknown primary site.