Current Chemotherapy Use in Neuroendocrine Tumors

David L Chan; Simron Singh

doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2018.04.006

Current Chemotherapy Use in Neuroendocrine Tumors

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2018 Sep;47(3):603-614. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2018.04.006.

Authors

David L Chan¹, Simron Singh²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada; Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Level 1 ASB, Reserve Road, St Leonards, New South Wales 2065, Australia.
² Department of Medical Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, King's College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada. Electronic address: Simron.singh@sunnybrook.ca.

PMID: 30098718
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2018.04.006

Abstract

The role of chemotherapy in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has evolved with the development of other effective systemic therapies. At the same time, the evolving classification of NETs by grade has allowed for prognostic stratification. Chemotherapy is not routinely used for grade 1 to 2 NETs, but capecitabine (CAPTEM) or streptozocin-based regimens may be used, particularly for pancreatic NETs. In contrast, poorly differentiated grade 3 NETs are usually treated with platinum doublet chemotherapy. There is no consensus for the treatment of well-differentiated G3 NETs, but platinum doublets or CAPTEM are reasonable options.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Metastatic; Neuroendocrine tumors.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Humans
Neuroendocrine Tumors / drug therapy*
Neuroendocrine Tumors / surgery

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents