Journal Article Review Epublish
PubMed: 41463399 DOI: 10.3390/biom15121746
Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Comprehensive Review of Evidence.
Biomolecules 15(12)
Authors: Kalliopi Anna Poulia, Ariadni Spyroglou, Odysseas Violetis, George Mastorakos, Krystallenia I Alexandraki, Athanasios G Papavassiliou
Affiliations
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece.
- Second Department of Surgery, 'Aretaieion' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece.
- Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, 'Aretaieion' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and heterogeneous tumors with heterogeneity in morphology and molecular profile and consequently resulting in a heterogeneous biological behavior. They have a more indolent natural history compared to the classic cancer and may emerge in any site of the human body, but usually they have gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) or bronchopulmonary (BP) origin. When NENs are well differentiated, they are called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) as opposed to poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). They may secrete a bioactive molecule resulting in a secretory syndrome or they may not be associated with any secretory product, defining functional and non-functional NENs. The hormonal hypersecretion syndromes, the chronic symptom burden, the tumor-related inflammation, and the treatment side effects impair nutritional intake and absorption while increasing metabolic needs. The present comprehensive narrative review is summarizing established and emerging methods of nutritional and body composition assessment, and the recent evidence of interventions for sarcopenia and malnutrition in patients with NETs. Early identification and management of malnutrition and sarcopenia are fundamental steps to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes in these patients during the long natural history of these neoplasms.
MeSH
Natural History, Malnutrition, Neoplasms, Neuroendocrine Tumors, History, Sarcopenia