Gastric Mixed Neuroendocrine Non-Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Western Center Case Series

Abstract

Background: Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) represent a rare tumor composed of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma components. This study reports a case series of gastric MiNEN and discusses issues related to its diagnosis, management, and outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with gastric MiNEN who underwent surgical resection at our service from 2009 to 2020. Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma served as a comparison group. Clinical, pathologic, and surgical characteristics were compared. Results: During the selected period, 5 gastric MiNEN patients and 597 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were included. Among the clinical variables, age, sex, BMI, and laboratory exams were similar between the two groups. Only ASA classification was different (p = 0.015). Pathological variables such as tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and pTNM staging were also similar between both groups. Lastly, early surgical outcomes and long-term survival did not differ between gastric MiNEN and adenocarcinoma patients. Conclusion: A MiNEN is a rare tumor that represents less than 1% of GC patients undergoing curative treatment, and demonstrated clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes similar to gastric adenocarcinoma.