A extradural D3-D5 spinal mass, turned out to be a Grade 2 NET of HPE. Work-up failed to reveal a primary, & the case is planned to be treated as an unknown primary. How frequently does a G2 NET metastasize?
Dear Ankit,
There are no clear-cut figures owing to a lack of large-scale studies addressing this question.However, neuroendocrine tumors (NET or carcinoids still used by many) of intermediate grade or grade 2 have been seen to metastasize in some cases and its frequency varies between its sites of origin.Just to exemplify, the commonest GIT/pancreatic and pulmonary /thymic NET G2 metastasize to the tune of
This tumor is rare an the index of matastasis of a G2NET is about 20% of 5 years of follow up
Is the metastasis also a grade 2 NET? That would be quite rare. However, the primary could be a composite of low and high grade tumours (even adenocarcinomas) in which case you would expect metastases. Grade 1 & 2 tumours are known to transform to gd 3 over a period of time, so that is another possibility if it s a metachronous met.
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