Consensus Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Well-Differentiated Gastroenterohepatic Neuroendocrine Tumours: A Revised Statement from a Canadian National Expert Group

Abstract

Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (NETS—previously called “carcinoid tumours”) are relatively rare tumours originating from the diffuse neuroendocrine system; they are found most often in the bronchial or gastrointestinal systems. In Canada, gastroenterohepatic NETS represent less than 0.25% of oncology cases. Because of the relative rarity of these tumours, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches vary and are often based on individual physician experience. A number of European and North American groups have developed consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of well-differentiated gastroenterohepatic NETS, and in 2006, Canadian consensus guidelines were published by a Canadian expert group. The updated and expanded current Canadian guidelines are based on a consensus meeting held in Paris, France, in 2008 and are based on the most current literature.