Endoscopic ultrasound in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

• Published in: Gut and liver Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 405 - 410
• Main Author: Kim, Michelle Kang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Society of Gastroenterology; the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver; the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility; Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases; Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research; Korean Pancreatobiliary Association; Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer 01.10.2012; Gastroenterology Council for Gut and Liver; 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회
• Subjects: carcinoid; endoscopic ultrasound; neuroendocrine tumor; pancreas; Review; stomach; 내과학; Stomach; Carcinoid; Neuroendocrine tumor; Pancreas; Endoscopic ultrasound
• ISSN: 1976-2283; 2005-1212
• DOI: 10.5009/gnl.2012.6.4.405

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an advanced endoscopic technique currently used in the staging and diagnosis of many gastrointestinal neoplasms. The proximity of the echoendoscope to the gastrointestinal tract lends itself to a detailed view of the luminal pathology and the pancreas. This unique ability enables endoscopists to use EUS in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Diagnostic EUS allows previously unidentified NETs to be localized. EUS also determines tumor management by staging the GEP-NETS, enabling the clinicians to choose the appropriate endoscopic or surgical management. The ability to obtain a tissue diagnosis with EUS guidance enables disease confirmation. Finally, recent developments suggest that EUS may be used to deliver therapeutic agents for the treatment of NETs. This review will highlight the advances in our knowledge of EUS in the clinical management of these tumors.