Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case report and literature review

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater: a case report

BACKGROUND

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms of the ampulla of Vater are rare and heterogenous, making it difficult to achieve a definitive preoperative diagnosis. Herein, we describe a patient in whom a provisional diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater was made preoperatively.

CASE PRESENTATION

Computed tomography revealed an enhancing periampullary tumor in a 69-year-old man with obstructive jaundice. Subsequent duodenoscopy revealed an ulcerated lesion in the swollen ampulla of Vater, from which six biopsies were collected. Pathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma in five of them. The remaining one was a neuroendocrine neoplasm according to immunohistochemical analysis. With a provisional diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater, the patient underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with modified Child's reconstruction and was discharged without complications. Pathological examination revealed both adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinomas, each accounting for ≥ 30% of the tumor, resulting in a definitive diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater. Lymph node metastases with neuroendocrine components were also observed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not administered because of the patient's renal dysfunction. Liver and lymph node metastases were detected 2 months after surgery, the neuroendocrine component being considered responsible for that relapse. The patient underwent platinum-based chemotherapy at 50% dosage, which initially resulted in significant tumor shrinkage; however, he died 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

While these tumors' heterogeneity make definitive preoperative diagnosis of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater difficult, the possibility of this disease can be considered by careful examination. Further study is needed to establish the optimal diagnostic criteria and treatment strategy.

Digestive MiNENs: Could histological classification and molecular characterization drive clinical outcome and therapeutic approach?

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) are epithelial neoplasms in which neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine discrete components are combined, each of which constitutes ≥ 30% of the neoplasm. The finding of an additional neuroendocrine component seems to characterize the tumor's biological behavior. Few studies have proved MiNENs histogenetic and molecular characterization, and the development of molecular markers for more accurate classification of MiNENs represents a clinical need. However, a common origin of the neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components from a pluripotent cancer stem cell could be suggested. The optimal clinical management of MiNENS is largely unknown. Whenever feasible, curative-intent resection should be performed for localized disease; in advanced disease, the treatment should be targeted to the component responsible for the metastatic spreading. This paper provides a revision of the current knowledge on MiNENs, focusing on available evidence about their molecular characterization to suggest a prognostic stratification of these rare forms.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: Three case reports and a literature review

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma is defined as a tumor with a mixture of adenocarcinoma components and neuroendocrine neoplasm components. Each of these two components of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma accounts for at least 30% of all tumors. Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma might be located in the ampulla of Vater, a very rare location compared to other organs. Thus, its treatment and prognosis plans have not been established yet. We report three cases of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma occurring in the ampulla of Vater. Each patient had a different clinical course. In general, difficulty in preoperative diagnosis, risk of early recurrence, and poor disease course were main hallmarks of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the ampulla of Vater. However, one patient in this case report survived although she did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy due to her old age. Therefore, it is important to establish a careful treatment strategy for mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the ampulla of Vater.

Management and outcomes of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: A systematic review and pooled analysis of 56 patients

BACKGROUND

Tumors of mixed neuroendocrine and nonneuroendocrine histology are classified as collision, combined, or amphicrine and can occur in most organs, including the hepato-pancreato-biliary tract. Given the rarity of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) of the ampulla of Vater, the patient characteristics, management, and outcomes remain unclear. We sought to systematically review the worldwide literature on ampullary MANECs.

METHODS

Eligible studies were identified through a systematic search of the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases (end-of-search-date: January 5th, 2022), according to the PRISMA 2020 statement.

RESULTS

A total of 39 studies reporting on 56 patients with ampullary MANEC were included. The median age was 63.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 51.0-69.0) years and 55.6% were male (n = 25/45). Most had combined tumors (64.4%; n = 29/45), followed by collision (24.4%; n = 11/45), and amphicrine tumors (11.1%; n = 5/45). More than half had lymph node metastasis (56.8%; n = 25/44), yet only 7.9% had distant metastasis (n = 3/38). Tumor resection (i.e., mostly pancreaticoduodenectomy) was performed in 96.3% (n = 52/54), followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in 61.8% (n = 21/34). Nearly half experienced disease recurrence (47.2%; n = 17/36) over a median follow-up of 12.0 (IQR: 3.0-16.0) months, and 42.1% (n = 16/38) died over a median follow-up of 12.0 (IQR: 4.0-18.0) months. The most common cause of death was disease progression/recurrence in 81.3% (n = 13/16).

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis and management of ampullary MANEC is challenging yet crucial to improve outcomes since many patients are diagnosed at an advanced disease stage and have unfavorable outcomes. Multicenter granular data are warranted to further understand and improve outcomes in these patients.

Mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine neoplasm of the ampulla: Four case reports

BACKGROUND

Mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) is a rare tumor that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, usually composed of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma. MiNEN occurring in ampulla is even rarer. We report 4 cases of MiNEN in ampulla, combined with literature review to summarize the clinical features and treatment of the disease, in order to improve the understanding of the disease.

CASE SUMMARY

A retrospective analysis was performed in 4 cases of MiNEN of the ampulla diagnosed by pathology from 2014 to 2021. The 4 patients were all male, aged 67-81 years (average 72.25 years). Among them, 2 patients had jaundice, 1 patient had abdominal pain, and 1 patient had jaundice with abdominal pain as the first symptom. All 4 patients underwent enhanced CT or MRI, which all indicated that the tumors were located in the ampulla. Two patients underwent duodenoscopy, and a biopsy revealed ampullary adenocarcinoma. All 4 patients underwent radical pancreaticoduodenectomy. Four cases were followed up: One patient developed severe complications after the operation, his condition deteriorated, and he survived for 1 mo. In the other 3 patients, tumor recurrence was observed during follow-up, and 2 of them survived for 29 mo and 22 mo respectively. One case survived and is still being followed up.

CONCLUSION

MiNEN of the ampulla are extremely rare, lacking typical clinical symptoms and imaging features, and are usually diagnosed after postoperative histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. The main treatment is radical surgical resection, which can be combined with chemotherapy. The best method of diagnosis and treatment needs further research.

Surgical resection of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm in the biliary system: a report of two cases

BACKGROUND

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MINEN) is a rare disease and there is scarce literature on its diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. We encountered two unusual cases of MINEN in the biliary tract, one in the ampulla of Vater and the other in the distal bile duct. In this report, we describe the clinical course of these two cases in detail.

CASE PRESENTATION

Case 1: A 69-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of epigastric pain. When endoscopic sphincterotomy and retrograde biliary drainage were performed for gallstone pancreatitis, an ulcerated lesion was found in the ampulla of the Vater. Based on the biopsy results, the lesion was diagnosed as the ampulla of Vater carcinoma and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD) was performed. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed the coexistence of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma components, consistent with the diagnosis of MINEN. In addition, lymph node metastasis was found on the dorsal side of the pancreas and the metastatic component was adenocarcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin was administered for 6 months, and presently the patient is alive without recurrence 64 months after surgery. Case 2: A 79-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of anorexia. Cholangiography showed severe stenosis of the distal bile duct. A biopsy was conducted from the stenotic lesion and it revealed the lesion to be adenocarcinoma. A diagnosis of distal bile duct carcinoma was made, and SSPPD was performed. Histopathological examination revealed the coexistence of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma components, and the tumor was confirmed as MINEN of the distal bile duct. No adjuvant chemotherapy was administered due to the poor performance status. 7 months later, the patient was found to have a liver metastasis.

CONCLUSION

We experienced two valuable cases of biliary MINEN. To identify better treatments, it is important to consider the diversity of individual cases and to continue sharing a variety of cases with different presentations.

Mixed neuroendocrine–nonneuroendocrine neoplasms of the gastrointestinal system: An update

Mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) of the digestive tract are a rare heterogeneous group of tumors that present many challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Over the years, the diagnostic criteria, classification, and clinical behavior of these tumors have been the subjects of ongoing debate, and the various changes in their nomenclature have strengthened the challenges associated with MiNENs. This review is performed to provide an understanding of the key factors involved in the evolution of the designation of these tumors as MiNEN, highlight the current diagnostic criteria, summarize the latest data on pathogenesis and provide information on available treatments. Moreover, this work seeks to increase the awareness about these rare neoplasms by presenting the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors that play important roles in their behavior and discussing their different regions of origin in the gastrointestinal system (GIS). Currently, the MiNEN category also includes tumors in the GIS with a nonneuroendocrine component and epithelial tumors other than adenocarcinoma, depending on the organ of origin. Diagnosis is based on the presence of both morphological components in more than 30% of the tumor. However, this value needs to be reconfirmed with further studies and may be a limiting factor in the diagnosis of MiNEN by biopsy. Furthermore, available clinicopathological data suggest that the inclusion of amphicrine tumors in the definition of MiNEN is not supportive and warrants further investigation. The diagnosis of these tumors is not solely based on immunohistochemical findings. They are not hybrid tumors and both components can act independently; thus, careful grading of each component separately is required. In addition to parameters such as the metastatic state of the tumor at the time of diagnosis and the feasibility of surgical resection, the aggressive potential of both components has paramount importance in the choice of treatment. Regardless of the organ of origin within the GIS, almost MiNENs are tumors with poor prognosis and are frequently encountered in the elderly and men. They are most frequently reported in the colorectum, where data from molecular studies indicate a monoclonal origin; however, further studies are required to provide additional support for this origin.

The clinical profiles, management, and prognostic factors of biliary mixed neuroendocrine nonneuroendocrine neoplasms: A systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Mixed neuroendocrine nonneuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) originating from the biliary system (gallbladder, biliary tract, or ampulla of Vater) are extremely rare and have not been discussed in detail or systematically. We aimed to present the demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, management, and prognostic factors of biliary MiNENs.

METHODS

A systematic search of electronic biomedical databases (Web of Science, PUBMED, and Embase) was performed to identify eligible studies. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank tests were used to evaluate the differences between groups, and the effects of various clinical and histopathological features on prognosis were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression.

RESULTS

Fifty-three publications (patients, n = 67) were included. The median overall survival time was 21.0 months. Fifty-one patients (76.1%) underwent radical surgery and median survival for 41 months (P < .001). Twenty-two patients who received adjuvant radiochemotherapy treatment after radical surgery had a median survival for 43 months (P = .076). Radical resection (P < .001), Ki-67 index (P = .011), tumor stage (P < .001), neuroendocrine (NEC) grade (P = .011), and non-NEC grade (P = .017) were independent statistically significant prognostic factors according to univariate analysis; radical resection (P = .010) and small morphological subtype (P = .036) were independent statistically significant prognostic factors associated with higher overall survival according to multivariate analysis, and radical resection (P = .005) and age < 65 years (P = .026) were associated with higher recurrence free survival time.

CONCLUSION

Radical resection is essential for long-term survival. Aggressive multimodality therapy with adjuvant radiochemotherapy and biotherapy may improve survival of biliary MiNENs. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the standard treatment.

Looking into digestive mixed neuroendocrine - nonneuroendocrine neoplasms: subtypes, prognosis, and predictive factors

Mixed neuroendocrine - nonneuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) of the digestive system represent a challenge for both pathologists and clinicians. Their nomenclature has changed several times, and their diagnostic criteria, classification and clinical behaviour have been matter of debate over the years. Although several attempts have been made to elucidate the pathogenesis and biology of MiNENs, some issues remain open. This review will provide: a historical background that helps in understanding the evolution of the concept and nomenclature of mixed neoplasms; a revision of the knowledge on this topic, including molecular aspects, to give the reader a comprehensive and practical overview on this challenging field of pathology; a focus on the diagnostic criteria and on the determination of prognostic and predictive factors; and a description of the different tumour types in the different sites of origin.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) of the ampulla of Vater in a Chinese patient: A case report

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a rare tumour of the gastrointestinal tract with both epithelial and neuroendocrine components. We describe a case of a 57-year-old man who presented with yellow sclera and dark urine. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed enlargement of the intra and extrahepatic bile ducts and a neoplastic lesion at the end of the common bile duct which was indistinguishable from the adjacent head of the pancreas and duodenum. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed and histopathological examination of resected samples showed that tumour was a complex lesion with adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine components positive for neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) with a Ki-67 labelling index of 40%. The patient was diagnosed with MANEC in the ampulla of Vater with a neuroendocrine carcinoma component of approximately 70%. Ampullary MANECs are highly aggressive tumours with a high risk for distant metastases and a poor prognosis. Therefore, establishing a standard therapeutic strategy is crucial.