Published online Sep 14, 2020. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i34.5181
Peer-review started: May 22, 2020
First decision: June 13, 2020
Revised: June 18, 2020
Accepted: August 20, 2020
Article in press: August 20, 2020
Published online: September 14, 2020
Core Tip: This seminal manuscript provides a targeted review of these complex, rare neoplasms of the colon and rectum that should interest colorectal pathologists, surgeons, oncologists and gastroenterologists. This targeted review chronicles the evolution over time with summarization of historical perspectives of terminology with a proposal for a new-innovative, clinically-relevant, simple, non-ambiguous terminology for these lesions as mixed epithelial endocrine neoplasms. The pathogenesis including genomic landscape, clinico-radio-pathological features, treatment and prognosis, with gaps in knowledge are discussed. In keeping with our philosophy of a multidisciplinary management of these tumors, this manuscript has a multidisciplinary team (pathologists, oncologist and surgeon) of authorship.