Molecular pathology and diagnostics of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms

Abstract

Pancreatic Endocrine Neoplasms (PENs) are a group of rare tumors thought to arise from the endocrine cells of the pancreas. These tumors may be functional (hormone producing), or non functional. They have a wide range of presenting symptoms. Recent research efforts have shown the complex biology of these tumors, and have started to uncover the molecular alterations responsible for the genesis of these neoplasms. In this chapter we give an overview of the molecular tests available to detect such alterations, and of their diagnostic and prognostic significance.