Tumor-to-tumor metastasis: an extremely rare combination with renal cell carcinoma as the donor and a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor as the recipient

Background Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare phenomenon in which primary tumor cells metastasize hematogenously into another tumor. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of a renal cell carcinoma metastasis into a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor exhibiting a tumor-to-tumor metastasis. Ours is the third reported case worldwide. Case presentation The patient, a 72-year-old male, was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment due to high levels of prostate-specific antigen. A left renal tumor and pancreatic head tumor were revealed incidentally on screening computed tomography. There were suspected to be a renal cell carcinoma and primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor or pancreatic metastasis from the renal cell carcinoma according to preoperative examination. The left nephrectomy and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy were performed because of the pancreatic tumor indicated for operation in either case of diagnosis. Postoperative pathological examination showed a diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma for the left renal tumor. The pancreatic tumor was diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma metastasis into the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, that is to say tumor-to-tumor metastasis. Conclusion In some cases, conservative approach is selected for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients who meet some requirements. However, if such patients exhibit tumor-to-tumor metastasis which combines with renal cell carcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor as this case, conservative approach leads to progression of renal cell carcinoma. Therefore, conceiving the possibility of tumor-to-tumor metastasis, it is necessary to carefully choose a treatment plan for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients associated with renal cell carcinoma, not easily choosing conservative approach.

Curative treatment of pancreatic functioning insulinoma with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy: case report

Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). It is a rare disease account for 1-2% of pancreatic tumors and affect approximately up to 3 patients per million per year. complete surgical resection or debulking are standard of care option. However, surgery is associated with short and long-term post-operative morbidity and may not be appropriate for all patients. In This case we present management and cure of a case of functioning insulinoma with stereotactic ablative radiosurgery in an unfit patient for surgery.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor trapped in a cyst

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (Pan NET) accounts for only 1–2% of pancreatic neoplasms and <1% of tumors present as cystic lesions. A diagnosis of cystic tumor in the pancreas can be very challenging and confusing. Endoscopic ultrasound (USG) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) of these cystic lesions can help the clinician to narrow down the differential diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach is warranted for a definitive diagnosis and optimal treatment. Here, we present to you a very rare case of Pan NET presenting as a cystic mass. A 65-year-old man was admitted with a history of abdominal pain. Laboratory tests showed increased levels of serum amylase, and other biochemical tests were normal. The patient underwent transabdominal USG and computed tomography (CT). CT showed well-defined cystic lesion in the proximal body of the pancreas. Endoscopic guided FNA (EUS-FNA) using 22 gauges was done. Cytological examination demonstrated clusters and sheets of plasmacytoid cells. EUS core needle biopsy was done which showed loose clusters of cells with fine uniformly distributed chromatin that stained positively for insulinoma associated protein-1 which was suggestive of a Pan NET. The differential diagnosis of cystic lesions in the pancreas is very difficult with conventional radiology such as CT and magnetic resonance imaging. Cytology is helpful for a pre-operative diagnosis of cystic Pan NET. A diagnosis of Pan NET in a pancreatic biopsy or FNA with limited and suboptimal material is often challenging. This unusual case highlights the importance of pre-operative workup of EUS followed by FNAC in cystic pancreatic lesions.

Sunitinib-Induced Hypothyroidism and Survival in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Sunitinib has been approved for the treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, renal-cell carcinoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone serum levels is a common side effect. Studies suggest a correlation between sunitinib-induced hypothyroidism and treatment outcome in patients with renal-cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. This study assessed whether sunitinib-induced hypothyroidism is a predictive marker of the objective response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients. Twenty-nine patients treated with sunitinib for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors were included. The incidence of sunitinib-induced hypothyroidism was 33%. The median progression-free survival of patients who developed hypothyroidism was 16 months (95% confidence interval: 6.2–25.8 months) as compared with six months among euthyroid patients (95% confidence interval: 0.1–12.2 months) (p=0.02). The median overall survival was 77 months (95% confidence interval: 31.4–122.6 months) in hypothyroid patients but 12 months (95% confidence interval: 5.9–18.1 months) in subjects with euthyroidism (p=0.001). The median overall survival from the time of initial diagnosis ranged from 247 months in patients with hypothyroidism to 65 months in euthyroid subjects (p=0.015). Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are a prognostic biomarker of improved outcomes of sunitinib therapy in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients.

Visible Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor after Water Intake and Position Change

Most pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are detected incidentally and arise in the endocrine tissues. NETs can secrete hormones and result in clinical syndromes. However, between 50 and 75 percent of pancreatic NETs are nonfunctioning. Ultrasonography shows a well-circumscribed mass with a smooth margin and round or oval hypoechoic shape. A 38-year-old woman visited our hospital with mild upper abdominal discomfort. We visualized an oval hypoechoic mass with inner hyperechogenicity after water intake in the stomach and position change. The patient underwent surgery, and the mass was diagnosed as pancreatic NET.

Anticancer Effect of Heparin–Taurocholate Conjugate on Orthotopically Induced Exocrine and Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancers are classified based on where they occur, and are grouped into those derived from exocrine and those derived from neuroendocrine tumors, thereby experiencing different anticancer effects under medication. Therefore, it is necessary to develop anticancer drugs that can inhibit both types. To this end, we developed a heparin–taurocholate conjugate, i.e., LHT, to suppress tumor growth via its antiangiogenic activity. Here, we conducted a study to determine the anticancer efficacy of LHT on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET), in an orthotopic animal model. LHT reduced not only proliferation of cancer cells, but also attenuated the production of VEGF through ERK dephosphorylation. LHT effectively reduced the migration, invasion and tube formation of endothelial cells via dephosphorylation of VEGFR, ERK1/2, and FAK protein. Especially, these effects of LHT were much stronger on PNET (RINm cells) than PDAC (PANC1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells). Eventually, LHT reduced ~50% of the tumor weights and tumor volumes of all three cancer cells in the orthotopic model, via antiproliferation of cancer cells and antiangiogenesis of endothelial cells. Interestingly, LHT had a more dominant effect in the PNET-induced tumor model than in PDAC in vivo. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that LHT could be a potential antipancreatic cancer medication, regardless of pancreatic cancer types.

Prediction of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Grading Risk Based on Quantitative Radiomic Analysis of MR

BackgroundPancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) grade is very important for treatment strategy of PNETs. The present study aimed to find the quantitative radiomic features for predicting grades of PNETs in MR images.Materials and MethodsTotally 48 patients but 51 lesions with a pathological tumor grade were subdivided into low grade (G1) group and intermediate grade (G2) group. The ROI was manually segmented slice by slice in 3D-T1 weighted sequence with and without enhancement. Statistical differences of radiomic features between G1 and G2 groups were analyzed using the independent sample t-test. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to find better predictors in distinguishing G1 and G2 groups. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was constructed to assess diagnostic performance of each model.ResultsNo significant difference between G1 and G2 groups (P &gt; 0.05) in non-enhanced 3D-T1 images was found. Significant differences in the arterial phase analysis between the G1 and the G2 groups appeared as follows: the maximum intensity feature (P = 0.021); the range feature (P = 0.039). Multiple logistic regression analysis based on univariable model showed the maximum intensity feature (P=0.023, OR = 0.621, 95% CI: 0.433–0.858) was an independent predictor of G1 compared with G2 group, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.695.ConclusionsThe maximum intensity feature of radiomic features in MR images can help to predict PNETs grade risk.