Abstract
Small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are the most common neoplasm of the small intestine, and their incidence has increased in the past four decades. A majority of patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Biochemical and imaging studies are important in the diagnostic workup and surveillance of small bowel NETs. Surgical resection of the primary tumor with regional lymph nodes and resection of metastatic lesions when possible is the only hope for cure and only possible in about 20 % of cases. In patients with unresectable metastasis, ablative/cytoreductive techniques exist which can achieve tumor control. Patients with systemic disease may be treated with somatostatin analogues as well as new emerging modalities such as peptide-receptor radiotherapy. Advancements in the treatment of metastatic lesions with ablative techniques and targeted medical therapy have improved survival.