Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas
Summary
This chapter offers diverse images that provide an overview of neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas and aims to provide a synopsis through pictures and illustrations rather than through text. Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors present with dramatic hormonal symptoms due to dysregulated production and release of endogenous and ectopic hormones. Clinical management focuses on managing the symptoms of hormone excess as well as localization and ultimately resection of the tumor mass. This chapter highlights some of the unique features of these tumors. Histologically, most pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are well differentiated and exhibit sheets of homogeneous tumor cells without aneuploidy. Conventional computed tomography scans can often detect PNETs due to their hypervascular nature, but magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a more sensitive modality, particularly for smaller lesions.