Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumours or TNE form from cells of the endocrine and neurological system at any point in the body and are characterised by their ability to secrete hormones and express protein markers. They are often benign, but some are malignant and can easily metastasise.

Objective: To describe the clinical, paraclinical and scalable of TNE endocrinology observed outside medullary carcinoma and phaeochromocytoma.

Population, methodology: Retrospective study of cases of patients with NETs collected in 26 years. All patients have benefited from a clinical, hormonal balance, specific morphological investigation and postoperative follow-up.

Results: 16 cases were observed. They represented by endocrine pancreatic tumours (n=10, 62.25%) and carcinoids (n=6; 37.5%). The mean age at diagnosis was 43±15 years (7–78 years) and sex ratio 1H/2F. 66.6% of pancreatic secreting tumours and revealed by an endocrine syndrome (60% insulinoma, 6.6% secrete TCT) and 33.3% non-secreting tumours discovered during abdominal pain. Average tumour size was 24±0.4 mm (1±0.4 cm: insulinoma and 7±1 cm other PET). 46% are malignant (size> 2 cm; 13% insulinoma; 33% others), 26% are metastatic, and 50% are well differentiated. The carcinoid are located at rectum (n:2),intestinal (n:1), thymus (n: 1) and lung (n:6). They are malignant, well differentiated with slow evolution. All patients were successfully operated completed by a antisécrétoirs treatment or chemotherapy (10%). No recurrence or deaths were observed.

Discussion and conclusion: NET are rare in endocrinology. They dominate the gastrointestinal system. They are often secreting and malignant tumours with slow-growing and generally good prognosis. Their medical management requires a multidisciplinary team and a long term follow up.