Impact of Sex and Deprivation on Neuroendocrine Tumour Survival: Challenges of Heterogeneous Data.

Abstract

Background: For decades, the incidence of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) has been steadily increasing. Existing research suggests that patient sociodemographic characteristics, such as sex and deprivation, may play a role in who survives a NET diagnosis. This systematic review identifies the available evidence assessing the impact of sex and deprivation on the prognosis of patients diagnosed with NETs.

Summary: Using protocol-driven search terms, Embase and Ovid were searched in July 2024. The search identified 2,041 unique citations, of which 66 articles were subsequently included. Findings were reported by geographical location. Included studies indicate a female survival advantage in North America and England, but the impact of sex on NET prognosis in wider European and Asian countries is less clear. The impact of deprivation on NET prognosis was assessed in North America, with one study conducted in Europe.

Key messages: Significant data heterogeneity across studies poses challenges to comparability between studies and hinders statistical analyses of these data. In North America and England, females diagnosed with NETs tend to survive longer than males. Existing single-centre studies do not provide conclusive evidence on the impact of sex on NET survival in Asian countries, and a greater number of population-based studies are needed. Future research should also focus on addressing heterogeneity across NET research to allow for more robust evidence synthesis, providing increased accuracy and generalisability of study results.