Rectal neuroendocrine tumors: Update.

Abstract

Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are increasingly detected and are the most common gastrointestinal NET sites. Often discovered incidentally during endoscopy, most are small, well differentiated, and have an excellent prognosis. Local resection is typically considered curative. Several guidelines, namely the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society guidelines 2023, National Comprehensive Cancer network 2025, and the Polish Network of Neuroendocrine Tumors (2017) emphasize the use of endoscopic and endoscopic ultrasound staging to select the appropriate therapy, ranging from resection to advanced techniques for larger or metastatic diseases, highlighting the need for an accurate initial assessment.