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Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Ananya Panda, Malak Itani, Joyce Mhlanga, Charanjeet Singh, Onofrio Antonio Catalano, Chandana Lall, Hina Arif-Tiwari and Linda Chu
Seminars in ultrasound, CT, and MRI
06/08/2026
DOI: 10.1053/j.sult.2026.06.001
PMID: 42264416

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Abstract

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms are heterogeneous tumors whose incidence has risen with advances in, and increased use of, cross sectional and endoscopic imaging. They range from well differentiated, often indolent neuroendocrine tumors to aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas. Most PNENs are non-functional and detected incidentally, whereas functional tumors present with hormone related clinical syndromes. Accurate diagnosis and staging rely on multimodality imaging. Pancreatic protocol CT and MRI remain first-line tools for anatomic assessment, providing information on tumor morphology, vascular involvement, and metastatic disease. MRI, particularly with diffusion weighted and hepatobiliary contrast imaging adds strength for detecting hepatic metastases. Functional imaging with somatostatin receptor (SSTR) PET/CT or PET/MRI is essential for identifying SSTR expressing disease, guiding management, evaluating heterogeneity, and selecting candidates for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Dual tracer imaging with SSTR PET and ¹⁸F FDG provides prognostic insight and detects dedifferentiated tumor components. Ongoing challenges include standardized surveillance and response assessment to therapy. Emerging radiomics and artificial intelligence tools may hold promise for improving personalized management strategies.
 Computed Tomography MRI neuroendocrine tumor pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor peptide receptor radionuclide therapy PET/MRI PNET somatostatin receptor imaging

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