Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are heterogenous tumors with variable survival and the frequently occurring ability to metastasize. A basis for metastasis of tumors is invasive growth. One factor participating in this process is the existence of the so called ‘circulating tumor cells’ (CTC) in the peripheral blood. Up to now there is only rare data available regarding the number of CTCs in NET patients.Methods: EpCAM protein expressio...

Context: Anaplastic (ATC) thyroid carcinoma is an orphan disease accounting for about 2% of all malignant thyroid tumors. ATC confers a dismal prognosis and standard treatment is not established.Objective: To describe the epidemiology, current treatment regimens and outcome of ATC, to identify clinical prognostic markers and treatment factors associated with improved prognosis. To establish a consensus treatment schedule.Design: Re...