Yao JQ, Wu B, Yang JQ, Wang T, Shen YY. Liver metastasis from pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(7): 120634 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i7.120634]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Tao Wang, MD, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, No. 397 Huancheng North Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China. 1055477611@qq.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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case-report
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Yao JQ, Wu B, Yang JQ, Wang T, Shen YY. Liver metastasis from pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(7): 120634 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i7.120634]
World J Gastrointest Surg. Jul 27, 2026; 18(7): 120634 Published online Jul 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i7.120634
Liver metastasis from pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report
Jia-Qi Yao, Bin Wu, Ju-Qin Yang, Tao Wang, Yi-Yu Shen
Jia-Qi Yao, Jiaxing University Master’s Degree Cultivation Base, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
Jia-Qi Yao, Bin Wu, Ju-Qin Yang, Tao Wang, Yi-Yu Shen, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China
Co-first authors: Jia-Qi Yao and Bin Wu.
Co-corresponding authors: Tao Wang and Yi-Yu Shen.
Author contributions: Yao JQ and Wu B are responsible for case diagnosis, manuscript drafting, and critical revision for important intellectual content, and they contribute equally to this study as co-first authors; Yao JQ and Yang JQ contributed to data collection, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses, imaging interpretation, literature review, and preparation of tables and figures; Wang T and Shen YY were responsible for study conception and design and they contributed equally to this study as co-corresponding authors; all authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
AI contribution statement: ChatGPT was used for only language polishing, not generating main text. ChatGPT was used to assist in refining the language and structure of the response to reviewers. No portion of the main text addressing reviewers’ comments was directly generated by AI. The intellectual content and scientific responses were entirely written by the authors, with AI used only for language assistance.
Supported by Jiaxing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, No. 2025CGW092.
Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Tao Wang, MD, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, No. 397 Huancheng North Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China. 1055477611@qq.com
Received: March 4, 2026 Revised: March 20, 2026 Accepted: May 25, 2026 Published online: July 27, 2026 Processing time: 145 Days and 19.2 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) are rare tumors with a pathological spectrum ranging from well-differentiated tumors (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors) to poorly differentiated carcinomas (pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas). Optimal surgical management for locally advanced grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas remains debated due to their differing biological behaviors and prognoses.
CASE SUMMARY
This report presents a case of a non-functional pNEN with type I liver metastasis. The patient underwent laparoscopic radical retrograde modular pancreatosplenectomy for a pancreatic body/tail tumor, followed by a staged laparoscopic partial hepatectomy 2 years later. Combined with adjuvant chemotherapy (initially mFOLFIRINOX, later CAPTEM regimen), a favorable clinical outcome was achieved.
CONCLUSION
This case suggests that a combined surgical and chemotherapeutic strategy can be effective for selected patients with an advanced pNEN and metachronous liver metastasis. It may assist surgeons in better understanding the management of such cases, helping to formulate precise treatment strategies while balancing surgical risks and benefits.
Core Tip: This study reports a case of a high-grade (grade 3) pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with liver metastasis. The patient achieved a favorable outcome through staged laparoscopic radical pancreatic surgery, metastasectomy, and adjuvant chemotherapy. The case demonstrates that an aggressive sequential surgical approach combined with chemotherapy is a viable strategy for selected patients with a grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, providing a reference for individualized treatment planning by balancing surgical benefits and risks.
