The 100 most cited articles on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors from 2000 to 2020: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose The present study attempted to identify 100 most cited articles on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and characterize them via bibliometric analysis whereby it would provide an insight into the progress and trend in this field. Methods Records regarding pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and published between 2000 and 2020 were retrieved in 2021 through the Web of Science to identify the 100 most cited articles. Results The 100 articles were screened in 17 434 records. The number of citations of the top-cited articles ranged from 151 to 1867. These articles were published in 47 journals among which the Journal of Clinical Oncology produced the most articles (n = 10). The USA contributed most of the articles (n = 44). Articles enrolled came from 58 institutions; the University of California System of the USA came to the top (n = 7). More than half of the articles were clinical studies (n = 55), basic science research reports accounting for a quarter. In clinical topics (n = 73), treatment issues were the most concerned (n = 21), in which more articles focused on targeted inhibitors. Articles about gene mutation were cited most frequently in basic science topics (n = 27). Conclusions This bibliometric analysis reflected the brief the progress and highlighted current trend in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor research, providing references for further study. This analysis reviewed progress in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor research of the past 20 years and provided an insight into current trend.