Practical recommendations for the management of patients with gastroenteropancreatic and thoracic (carcinoid) neuroendocrine neoplasms in the COVID-19 era

Eur J Cancer. 2021 Feb:144:200-214. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.11.037. Epub 2020 Dec 25.

Abstract

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous family of uncommon tumours with challenging diagnosis, clinical management and unique needs that almost always requires a multidisciplinary approach. In the absence of guidance from the scientific literature, along with the rapidly changing data available on the effect of COVID-19, we report how 12 high-volume NEN centres of expertise in 10 countries at different stages of the evolving COVID-19 global pandemic along with members of international neuroendocrine cancer patient societies have suggested to preserve high standards of care for patients with NENs. We review the multidisciplinary management of neuroendocrine neoplasms during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we suggest potential strategies to reduce risk and aid multidisciplinary treatment decision-making. By sharing our joint experiences, we aim to generate recommendations for proceeding to other institutions facing the same challenges.

Keywords: COVID-19; Carcinoid tumours; Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumour; Lung neuroendocrine tumours; Neuroendocrine tumours.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnosis
  • Carcinoid Tumor / therapy*
  • Consensus
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / standards*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / therapy*