American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Patients with neuroendocrine tumors that are indolent may be monitored through:

1. Imaging and serial evaluations

2. Invasive surgical procedures

3. Immediate chemotherapy

4. Daily symptom assessments

The correct answer is: Imaging and serial evaluations

Monitoring patients with indolent neuroendocrine tumors can effectively be achieved through imaging and serial evaluations. This approach allows for the assessment of tumor growth, changes in size, or metastasis over time without the need for immediate aggressive treatment. Indolent tumors often grow slowly and may not require intervention unless they exhibit more aggressive behavior or lead to symptoms. Imaging techniques such as CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans provide valuable information on the tumor's status and help track its development. Serial evaluations, which typically include regular follow-up visits and assessments of clinical symptoms, enable healthcare providers to monitor the patient's overall health and well-being while keeping a close eye on the tumor's behavior. This strategy is in line with the principle of active surveillance in oncology, particularly for tumors characterized as low-risk and slow-growing, where the potential benefits of ongoing monitoring outweigh the risks of unnecessary treatments. Invasive surgical procedures or immediate chemotherapy are typically reserved for more aggressive tumors or those causing symptoms that significantly impact the patient's quality of life. Daily symptom assessments may be considered but lack the comprehensive data that imaging and serial evaluations provide for monitoring the progression of neuroendocrine tumors effectively.