Liver Transplantation For Neuroendocrine Tumors: Review of the Literature and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Liver transplantation for metastases of neuroendocrine tumors is still a subject of controversial discussion. Over the years, more and more data have been collected to demonstrate that transplantation is feasible and contributes to long-term overall survival. Most data are of retrospective nature and, thus, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Over the years, indications, surgical technique and perioperative care have improved. The most recent data have been collected prospectively and show a very favorable outcome in selected patients. Liver transplantation should be considered in patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases, but the decision needs to be made on an individual basis with particular emphasis on the tumor biology. In the future, we may need to work more with living organ donation and perhaps, especially in Europe, think about challenging the scoring system model of end-stage liver disease for this indication.

Keywords:

• liver transplantation
• neuroendocrine
• metastasis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript