Current opinion in oncology
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Chemotherapy was considered the standard for treatment of neuroendocrine tumors during the 1970s and 1980s. During the 1980s both interferon alfa and somatostatin analogue therapies were developed and significantly improved the clinical management of malignant neuroendocrine tumors. Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment and should always be considered in patients with neuroendocrine tumors, even if a cure is not possible. ⋯ These treatments can be supplemented by liver embolizations and chemoembolization to reduce the masses in the liver. When these treatments fail, tumor-targeted irradiation can be attempted, such as 131I-MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine) and 90Y DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N(I),N(II),N(III)-tetraacetic acid)-octreotide. The treatment of neuroendocrine gut and pancreatic tumors necessitates a multimodal approach, and more effective medical treatment is being developed.