Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors that develop from neuroendocrine cells found in various organs, most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. While these tumors usually grow slowly, they can become malignant and spread (metastasize). A particularly aggressive and fast-growing form of NET is neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Many NETs produce hormones, causing symptoms such as flush (sudden skin redness), diarrhea, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, or heart palpitations. Non-hormone-producing NETs are often discovered incidentally.
After a NET diagnosis, each patient is presented to our specialized tumor board for neuroendocrine tumors. This interdisciplinary team of experts collaboratively determines the best treatment plan for each individual patient.
Treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) depends on factors such as tumor size, location, hormone activity, and disease stage. It may include:
- Surgery: To remove the tumor or as much of it as possible
- Hormone Therapy: To manage symptoms related to hormone production.
- Somatostatin Analogues: To inhibit hormone secretion and slow tumor growth.
- Targeted Therapy: Medications that specifically target cancer cells to limit their growth.
- Chemotherapy: Used for aggressive NETs or when other treatments are ineffective.
- Radiation Therapy: Includes external beam radiation or targeted radionuclide therapy to destroy cancer cells or reduce tumor size.
- Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT): Delivers targeted radiation directly to tumor cells using radioactive substances.
If tumor removal is recommended, we use advanced techniques like minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery and robot-assisted procedures with the "da Vinci" system to ensure precision and minimize invasiveness.