Liver transplantation for metastases from neuroendocrine tumors: a literature review and clinical observation

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms with different malignant potential. They often metastasize to the liver and require active combined therapy. For unresectable neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases, transplantation has become a potential definitive treatment due to the slow growth and the clinical course of the metastatic process. We conducted a review of relevant literature, the criteria for including and excluding patients considered for liver transplantation as well as alternative methods of treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. The paper presents a clinical observation of a staged combined therapy of a patient with a neuroendocrine tumor of the small intestine and bilobar unresectable liver metastases. The study demonstrates satisfactory long-term results of liver transplantation.