Diffuse Endocrine System and Paragangliomas: Pathology, Predictive Biochemistry and Genetics

 Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the diffuse neuroendocrine system (neuroendocrine cells spread as a single cell or as clusters of cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract, the bronchopulmonary system, and the urogenital tract), are often referred to as carcinoids..Neuroendocrine tumors may present a considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenge as their clinical presentation is nonspecific and usually late, when metastases are already evident. Tumors of the diffuse neuroendocrine system represent a significant and increasing clinical problem, and there is a need to develop both early diagnostic tests as well as to establish targeted therapeutic strategies