The epidemiology of neuroendocrine tumors in Taiwan:The incidence, survival and second cancer analysis

• Main Authors: Hui-Jen Tsai, 蔡慧珍
• Other Authors: Sheng-Fung Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/83249378287169791312

博士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 醫學研究所 === 102 === Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are neoplasms originating from neuroendocrine cells located throughout the body, most commonly in lung and gastrointestinal tract. NETs may secret various peptides and some of which may cause clinical symptoms (also known as “functioning” NET). Most NETs have an indolent course, whereas some proliferate rapidly and metastasize to distant organs. The incidence rate of NETs was noticed to increase rapidly from cancer registry database in US and Norway recently. The epidemiology of NETs is not well illustrated, particularly for Asian countries. In this study, we analyzed the incidence and survival of NETs diagnosed in Taiwan from January 1,1996 to December 31, 2008, which were calculated from the data of Taiwan Cancer Registry (TCR) and compared to those of the Norway Cancer Registry (NCR) and the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER). During the study period, a total of 2,187 NET cases were diagnosed in Taiwan, with predominantly males (62%) and a mean age of 57.9 years-old. The NETs incidence increased from 0.30 per 100,000 in 1996 to 1.51 per 100,000 in 2008. The most common primary sites were rectum (25.4%), lung and bronchus (20%) and stomach (7.4%). The 5-year survival was 50.4% for all NETs, with 43.4% for men and 61.8% for women (P < 0.0001). The best 5-year survivals for NETs by sites were rectum (80.9%), appendix (75.7%), and breast (64.8%). Compared to the data of Norway and US, the NETs incidence in Taiwan is lower and the major primary sites are different, whereas the long-term outcome is similar. More studies on the pathogenesis of NETs are warranted to devise preventive strategies and improve the treatments for NETs.