Managing neuroendocrine tumors (NETs): What you need to know

  • NETs are a form of cancer.1 The primary tumor is often small.2 The majority of NETs develop in the digestive system, including the pancreas, but they can also arise in the lungs.3 All of these types of NETs can spread throughout the body
  • Strategies for how to manage a NET depend on the type of NET, its size, location, whether or not it has spread within your body4, and any symptoms it may cause1
  • Because NETs can be complex, a team of specialists may be helpful in determining the best course of action. This team may include a gastroenterologist, surgeon, oncologist, and others6,7
  • Your doctor(s) may choose from several options to manage your cancer, including5
    • –  Surgery to remove the main tumor and/or tumors that have spread
    • –  Chemotherapy and other systemic medications
    • –  Specialized therapies to remove tumor growths from your liver
  • Regular follow-up and monitoring may be required, including imaging, blood, or urine tests that can help detect any changes in your disease

1. Jensen RT, Doherty GM. Carcinoid tumors and the carcinoid syndrome. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:1559-1574.

2. Mamikunian G, Vinik AI, O'Dorisio TM, Woltering EA, Go VLW. Diagnosing and treating gastroenteropancreatic tumors, including ICD-9 codes. In: Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management. 4th ed. Inglewood, CA: Inter Science Institute; 2009:1-43.

3. Yao JC, Hassan M, Phan A, et al. One hundred years after "carcinoid": epidemiology of and prognostic factors for neuroendocrine tumors in 35,825 cases in the United States. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(18):3063-3072.

4. Ramage JK, Davies AHG, Ardill J, et al. Guidelines for the management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (including carcinoid) tumours. Gut. 2005;54(suppl 4):iv1-iv16.

5. Banfield A, Green S, Ramage JK. Neuroendocrine tumor management: a team approach. Hosp Med. 2005;66(1):37-42.

6. Caplin ME, Buscombe JR, Hilson AJ, Jones AL, Watkinson AF, Burroughs AK. Carcinoid tumour. Lancet. 1998;352(9130):799-805.

7. McStay MKG, Caplin ME. Carcinoid tumour. Minerva Med. 2002;93(5):389-401.

 

NET Fact

Multidisciplinary Approach

50% of all patients have either regional or distant metastases at diagnosis.

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Yao JC et al. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(18):3063-3072.

 

Managing from a nurse's perspective

nurse's perspective

Tips to educate, engage, and empower your patients.

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A list of available tools to help patients with NETs and the physicians who care for them

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1. Jensen RT, Doherty GM. Carcinoid tumors and the carcinoid syndrome. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:1559-1574.
2. Mamikunian G, Vinik AI, O'Dorisio TM, Woltering EA, Go VLW. Diagnosing and treating gastroenteropancreatic tumors, including ICD-9 codes. In: Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management. 4th ed. Inglewood, CA: Inter Science Institute; 2009:1-43.
3. Yao JC, Hassan M, Phan A, et al. One hundred years after "carcinoid": epidemiology of and prognostic factors for neuroendocrine tumors in 35,825 cases in the United States. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(18):3063-3072.
4. Ramage JK, Davies AHG, Ardill J, et al. Guidelines for the management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (including carcinoid) tumours. Gut. 2005;54(suppl 4):iv1-iv16.
5. Banfield A, Green S, Ramage JK. Neuroendocrine tumor management: a team approach. Hosp Med. 2005;66(1):37-42.
6. Caplin ME, Buscombe JR, Hilson AJ, Jones AL, Watkinson AF, Burroughs AK. Carcinoid tumour. Lancet. 1998;352(9130):799-805.
7. McStay MKG, Caplin ME. Carcinoid tumour. Minerva Med. 2002;93(5):389-401.