Transarterial chemoembolization for liver metastases of a pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm: a single-center experience

Surg Today. 2023 Dec;53(12):1396-1400. doi: 10.1007/s00595-023-02714-9. Epub 2023 Jun 24.

Abstract

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is performed for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNEN) liver metastases; however, the safety and efficacy of TACE procedures, especially for patients who have undergone previous pancreatic surgery, have not been established. We reviewed 48 TACE procedures (1-6 procedures/patient) performed on 11 patients with PanNEN liver metastases, including 16 TACE procedures (4-6 procedures/patient) for 3 patients with a history of biliary-enteric anastomosis. The overall tumor objective response rate was 94%. The incidence of Clavien‒Dindo grade ≥ 2 complications was 1/16 (6%) and 1/32 (3%), and the median time to untreatable progression was 31 (14-41) and 27 (2-60) months among patients with and without a history of biliary-enteric anastomosis, respectively. Although validation is needed in future studies, our experiences have shown that TACE treatment is a viable treatment option for PanNEN liver metastases, even after biliary-enteric anastomosis with experienced teams and careful patient follow-up.

Keywords: Liver metastasis; Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor; Transarterial chemoembolization.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
  • Chemoembolization, Therapeutic* / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors* / pathology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors* / therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome