Pancreas CT Appearances
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (PNET) CT Findings
- Hypervascular, circumscribed primary mass
- Arise from any part of the pancreas
- Uniform enhancement patterns with rim enhancement
- Typically solid but may be mixed cystic and solid
- Usually > 5cm
- IV tumor thrombus not uncommon
- May have necrosis or calcification
- Surrounding structures are displaced rather than invaded
- Vascular metastases to the liver and nodes are common
Other Information About Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (PNET)
Etiology:
- Unknown
- Linked to MEN1, NF1, and von Hippel-Lindau
Epidemiology:
- Rare
Presentation:
- Commonly asymptomatic
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice
- Dizziness
Prognosis:
- The 5-year relative survival rates for PNETS are:
- Localized: 95%
- Regional: 72%
- Distant: 23%
- All SEER stages combined: 53%
Related Pearls: Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNET)
Related Lectures:
Cystic Pancreatic Lesions: What You Need to Know - Part 2
CT Evaluation of Incidentalomas: A Practical Set of Strategies - Part 3
Typical and Atypical Appearances of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs): Role of CT Angiography (CTA) and Cinematic Rendering (CR) - Part 1
Typical and Atypical Appearances of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs): Role of CT Angiography (CTA) and Cinematic Rendering (CR) - Part 2
Cystic Pancreatic Lesions: Detection, Diagnosis and Management - Part 5