Current advances in neuroendocrine neoplasms of the colon and rectum

Abstract

Compared with colorectal adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), which affect the colon and rectum, are uncommon tumor conditions that have received relatively limited attention in basic research. Furthermore, the scarcity of these NENs has hindered extensive clinical investigations, thereby leading to a dearth of robust evidence for guiding clinical practice and impeding the establishment of standardized approaches for diagnosis and treatment. However, with the increasing awareness of population screening, as well as the increasing popularity of colonoscopy screening programs, the incidence of colorectal NENs has gradually increased. Moreover, some high-grade NENs are highly malignant and invasive, thereby leading to poor treatment outcomes and prognoses. These challenges have elicited increased attention from clinical physicians, thus prompting researchers to explore relevant studies using limited specimens and clinical data. This scenario has resulted in preliminary findings that provide evidence for addressing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with NENs of the colon and rectum. In this article, we review recent literature reports and summarize the advances regarding the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal NENs.

Keywords: Neuroendocrine neoplasm; Colon; Rectum; Research progress; Diagnosis; Treatment

Core Tip: Colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms represent a rare and highly heterogeneous group of tumors that are demonstrating increased detection rates. Due to their low incidence, difficulties in case collection and sample acquisition have led to slow progress in both clinical and basic research, thus resulting in a lack of standardized international guidelines and consensus on their treatment. We have reviewed and summarized recent research developments in this field, with an aim of providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research and inspiring future studies.