Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), also known as islet cell tumors, are rare neoplasms that arise in the endocrine tissues of the pancreas. They may occur sporadically or in association with a genetic syndrome, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), Von Hippel-Landau (VHL) syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, or tuberous sclerosis. The most frequent genetic alterations in PNET occur in MEN1 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia-1 Gene), DAXX/ATRX (Death-Domain Associated Protein/Mental Retardation Syndrome X-Linked Genes) and the mTOR pathway (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin). A germline mutation in the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene causes MEN1, the above-mentioned autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome. Mutations of DAXX and ATRX are common and related to altered telomeres but not to prognosis.