Global burden of neuroendocrine tumors and changing incidence in Kentucky

// Aman Chauhan 1, 2 , Qian Yu 1 , Neha Ray 3 , Zainab Farooqui 4 , Bin Huang 1, 5 , Eric B. Durbin 1, 2 , Thomas Tucker 1, 6 , Mark Evers 1, 7 , Susanne Arnold 1, 2 and Lowell B. Anthony 1, 2 1 Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 2 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 3 University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 4 Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, KY, USA 5 Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 6 Kentucky Cancer Registry, Lexington, KY, USA 7 Department of Surgery University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA Correspondence to: Aman Chauhan, email: Amanchauhan@uky.edu Keywords: neuroendocrine tumor incidence; kentucky cancer registry; SEER Received: January 10, 2018      Accepted: March 15, 2018      Published: April 10, 2018 ABSTRACT Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have a low incidence but relatively high prevalence. Over the last three decades, the incidence of NETs has risen 6-fold in the United States. We conducted an observational study to compare the incidence of NETs reported to the Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) versus that reported to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). We also provide a systematic review of the state of neuroendocrine tumors worldwide, and compare the available global and local published data. Methods: KCR and SEER databases were queried for NET cases between 1995 and 2015. A detailed literature review of epidemiological data for various nations worldwide summarize epidemiological data from various countries. Results: KCR recorded 6179 individuals with newly diagnosed NETs between 1995 and 2015. Between 1995-2012, the incidence of NETs in KCR increased from 3.1 to 7.1 per 100,000 cases, while it increased from 3.96 to 6.61 in the SEER database. The incidence rates in both KCR and SEER databases were linear. 90.57% were Caucasians with 54.74% females. 27.67% of the Kentucky population was from the Appalachian region. Patients aged 50-64 years had the highest prevalence (38%). Lung NET (30.60%) formed the bulk of cases, followed by small intestine (16.82%), rectum/anus (11.35%) and colon (9.71%). Conclusions: NETs incidence between 1995 and 2015 show a linear increase in both KCR and SEER databases. Because of this increased incidence it is imperative for community oncologists to familiarize themselves with this entity, which until recently was under-studied and with few viable treatment options.