Neuroendocrine tumors historical perspective
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Neuroendocrine tumors Microchapters |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Historical Perspective
Siegfried Oberndorfer, in 1907, was the first person to distinguish clearly what we now call GEP-NETs from other forms of cancer. He gave the term "carcinoid" to these tumors, because they were so slow-growing that he considered them to be "cancer-like" rather than truly cancerous. In 1929, he reported that some such tumors were not so indolent – these he distinguished as what we now call PETs from what most authorities call carcinoids. Despite the differences between the two categories, some doctors, including oncologists, persist in calling all GEP-NETs "carcinoid", even into the twenty-first century. [1]
The earliest synthetic form of somatostatin used in the treatment of Neuroendocrine tumors was octreotide, first marketed, by Sandoz as Sandostatin, in 1988.
References
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"The term 'carcinoid' was introduced by S[iegfried] Oberndorfer in 1907 to distinguish carcinoids as less rapidly growing and well-differentiated epithelial tumors of the small intestine from the more aggressively growing adenocarcinoma of the gut.... Strictly speaking ... the term 'carcinoid' [is] reserved for endocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract ... and not for those of the pancreas.... The vagueness of the term 'carcinoid' results from its histological features which are almost identical with those of endocrine pancreatic tumors" (Arnold et al. 2004, 195).
"During his tenure at the Pathological Institute of the University of Munich, Oberndorfer noted in 1907 that the lesions were distinct clinical entities and named them 'karzinoide' ('carcinoma-like'), emphasizing in particular their benign features. In 1929 he amended his classification to include the possibility that these small bowel tumors could be malignant and also metastasize" (Modlin 2004).
Regarding the persistence of the term carcinoid: on a PET news forum, a patient says "for over 4 yrs I was referred to as carcinoid. In fact even when it was discovered I was actually islet cell and the pathologist was questioned by my doctor (specialist in NET) about this the pathology said we classify all islet cell as carcinoid. Since then no matter how many times I say islet cell to a local doctor - oncologist, gastroendocrineologist, radiologist - you get the idea - they ALL continue to refer to me as carcinoid" (NET_IsletCell 2006).