Review
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2010; 16(14): 1713-1719
Published online Apr 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i14.1713
Pathologic research update of colorectal neuroendocrine tumors
Shu-Juan Ni, Wei-Qi Sheng, Xiang Du
Shu-Juan Ni, Wei-Qi Sheng, Xiang Du, Department of Pathology, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Author contributions: Ni SJ, Sheng WQ and Du X all contributed to the data research for this review; Ni SJ conducted the literature review and wrote the manuscript; Sheng WQ developed the initial plan; Du X provided guidance throughout the preparation of this manuscript and corrected the final version.
Supported by The Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality
Correspondence to: Xiang Du, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, 270 Dongan Road, Shanghai 200032, China. dx2008cn@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-21-64175590-8911 Fax: +86-21-64170067
Received: January 25, 2010
Revised: February 20, 2010
Accepted: February 27, 2010
Published online: April 14, 2010
Abstract

Colorectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) originate from neuroendocrine cells in the intestinal tract, and represent a small area within oncology, but one which has provided increasing new data during the past years. Although the World Health Organization has determined clinical and histological features to predict prognosis for such tumors, they may not be valid on an individual basis. We aim to give an overview of the recent findings with regard to pathology, molecular genetics and diagnosis of NETs.

Keywords: Neuroendocrine tumors, Carcinoid, Colorectal, World Health Organization classification, Tumor-node-metastases