Impact of Bone Metastases on Survival in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumor patients with bone metastases face significant challenges in managing their symptoms and improving overall survival. A recent study conducted at Uppsala University in Sweden aimed to assess the impact of bone metastases on symptoms and overall survival in patients with well-differentiated small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (Si-NETs). The researchers analyzed data from 138 patients who underwent Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT between 2010 and 2023, revealing that 23% of Si-NET patients had bone metastases, with 33% of these patients experiencing synchronous bone metastases. The study found that patients with 5 or more bone metastases had significantly shorter overall survival compared to those with fewer metastases, with a hazard ratio of 1.93 (p = 0.021). Additionally, synchronous bone metastases were identified as an independent prognostic factor for shorter overall survival.

Key Takeaways:

• Bone metastases are present in 23% of patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (Si-NETs).
• Patients with synchronous bone metastases experience poorer overall survival compared to those without synchronous metastases.
• The presence of bone metastases in patients with stage IV disease is an independent prognostic factor for shorter overall survival.
• Patients with 5 or more bone metastases have significantly shorter overall survival compared to those with fewer metastases.
• Synchronous bone metastases were identified as an independent prognostic factor for shorter overall survival.

Statistics:

• 175 patients out of 753 (23%) had bone metastases.
• 46 out of 138 patients (33%) had synchronous bone metastases.
• 61 patients (44%) showed 5 or more bone metastases at the time of detection.
• Patients with 5 or more bone metastases survived for 18 months, compared to 75 months for those with 5 or fewer metastases (p < 0.05).
• Hazard ratio for overall survival was 1.93 (p = 0.021) for patients with 5 or more bone metastases compared to those with fewer metastases.
• Hazard ratio for overall survival was 2.14 (p = 0.016) for patients with synchronous bone metastases compared to those without synchronous metastases.

Sources:

• Health & Medicine Week. Studies from Uppsala University in the Area of Neuroendocrine Cancer Described (Impact on symptoms and survival of bone metastases in patients with small-intestinal neuroendocrine tumours). August 29, 2025; p 7727.
• Journal of Neuroendocrinology. Impact on symptoms and survival of bone metastases in patients with small-intestinal neuroendocrine tumours. 2025.
• Wiley-Blackwell. Journal of Neuroendocrinology. 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA.