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WHAT ARE NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS (TYPES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT)?

Today, no one of us is unaware of the term cancer, which affects not only adults but also children. There are chances that anyone of us may gets diagnosed with cancer, irrespective of age & gender. There is no single cause for the development of cancer in your body. But early and proper treatment can help you ease its symptoms.

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WHAT ARE NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS (TYPES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT)?

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  1. University Cancer Center https://universitycancercenters.com/

  2. WHAT ARE NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS (TYPES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT)? • What Is A Neuroendocrine Tumor? • Types Of Neuroendocrine Tumors • Early Signs And Symptoms Of Neuroendocrine Tumor • Diagnosis Process Of Neuroendocrine Tumors • Different Stages Of Neuroendocrine Tumor • What Causes Neuroendocrine Tumors? • What Are The Possible Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatments? • What Is The Survival Rate Of Neuroendocrine Tumors?

  3. What Is A Neuroendocrine Tumor? • NET is the tumor that forms in the neuroendocrine cells. These cells are responsible for producing hormones. Cancer in the endocrine can also affect other body parts. But the majority of tumors are found in the abdomen. Other body parts that get affected due to the neuroendocrine tumor are the lungs, rectum, adrenal glands, and pancreas.  • The endocrine system of the body is responsible for managing the nervous system of the body. When the tumor starts affecting the cells, people start facing various problems. NETs are non-cancerous in the early stages but may slowly turn malignant and spread to other body parts. These tumors are usually formed when the endocrine cells in the body start dividing at a faster pace.

  4. Types Of Neuroendocrine Tumors • Carcinoid Tumor Carcinoid tumors usually form in the lungs and are slow-growing tumors. The subset of these NETs also affects the appendix, small intestine, rectum, and colon. This tumor doesn’t show any symptoms in its early stages. However, it starts to form and release hormones showing NET signs. Due to this, people suffer from diarrhea, chest pain, wheezing, etc. So, it is advisable to see the doctors when you face even minor symptoms of this type of tumor. • Merkel Cell NET Merkel cell tumor is a rare tumor that is hard to diagnose. It is a skin cancer that looks like a red color swelling on the head, neck, or face. This NET is commonly seen in older people. As per reports, the leading cause of Merkel cells tumor is a weak immune system. • Adrenal NET The most common type of NET begins in the adrenal glands. These glands are responsible for producing hormones that manage different tissues and organs of the body. The chances of getting an adrenal tumor are higher in children below five years.  • Pancreatic NET This NET type occurs in the pancreas cells responsible for producing pancreatic hormones. It is also a rare tumor that begins in the small cells called Islet cells. The growth rate of this tumor is relatively higher than other types of NETs.  • Paraganglioma NET The main reason behind forming this NET is the abnormal cells in the body. Due to this, the tumor starts forming in the body’s different cells. These tumors are usually non-cancerous. People of any age can suffer from this type of NET. When the cells keep dividing, it also affects other body parts. Some common symptoms of this NET are high blood pressure, headache, fast heartbeat, and nausea.

  5. Early Signs And Symptoms Of Neuroendocrine Tumor • However, the signs also depend on the functionality of NET. A tumor that is functional shows symptoms as compared to a non-functional one. The early signs and symptoms of NETs (in general) are as follows: • Vomiting • High blood pressure • Redness on skin • Consistent pain in the neck • Fatigue • Pain in abdomen • Difficulty in breathing • Painless lump on the body part • Sweating • Anxiety • Swelling in glands • Weight loss

  6. Early Signs And Symptoms Of Neuroendocrine Tumor • Some of the common symptoms of functional NETs are as follows: • Diarrhea • Frequent urination • Rashes on skin • Dizziness • Frequent bleeding • Feeling of shakiness • Confusion • Various ulcer disease

  7. Diagnosis Process Of Neuroendocrine Tumors • Physical Examination One of the common ways experts use to diagnose NET is a physical exam. During this, the doctor may ask you about showing medical history. A physical test is conducted based on your past and current health condition. Doctors try to feel the tumor on the different body parts. In this process, they use medical tools to check the swollen nodes and bumps on the skin. It is the primary diagnostic process used to detect NETs. • Various Imaging Tests • way to diagnose the neuroendocrine tumor is by conducting imaging tests. Some popular tests are CT scan, MRIs, and ultrasound, which creates a picture of the internal tumor. Experts also use Positron Emission Tomography(PET) to get a clear picture of tumors. During the PET, the doctor injects the tracer into a patient’s vein. • Biopsy During the biopsy, the expert takes a small sample of cells for examination. Later on, the sample of the cell is examined under the microscope. In the biopsy, the doctor uses the tube to check the tumor’s location. Another process involved is the core needle biopsy, in which a thin needle extracts the fluid and tissue from the abnormal cells. It is a widely used diagnosis process to get an overview of NET. • Different Stages Of Neuroendocrine Tumor The stage of the tumor is an easy way to define the current condition of cancerous cells that helps the doctor provide the right treatment. It is also known as “the grade” in the medical industry that helps in the classification process. Various factors are considered based on stage to know how fast the affected cells grow. There are different stages of the NETs based on their locations and symptoms.

  8. Localized Stage It is the stage at which the neuroendocrine tumor is in the particular cells of the body. Localization is also the early stage and shows little or no symptoms. • Regional Stage The tumor is considered in the regional stage when it spreads into the nearby cells. In this stage, people start to notice mild symptoms at this stage of NET. The cancerous cells also begin affecting the tissues and lymph nodes. • Metastatic Stage It is the higher stage in which the cells divide at a faster rate. During the metastasis, the tumor spreads to different body parts. It also indicates severe problems as most of the healthy cells start destroying.

  9. What Causes Neuroendocrine Tumors? • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias, Type 1 (MEN 1) It is also known as MEN 1 and represents when the thyroid and other glands don’t work properly. As a result, there are higher chances of forming tumors. • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias, Type 2 (MEN 2) In this condition, the pancreas parathyroid becomes overactive and affects its functioning. During MEN 2, endocrine cells divide at a faster rate and form tumors. • Factors That May Give Rise To NETs Various factors increase the risk of getting NETs, such as family history, age, and current health condition. If you have any severe disease, there are also chances you will develop a tumor in your body. The following are the common risk factors of NETs: • Family History Like any other disease, the neuroendocrine tumor may also pass through genes. If one of your family members suffers from NET, there are higher chances you also suffer from some tumor. The primary cause behind it is the genetic mutation of affected cells. 

  10. Your Age Age is another factor in getting the NET. According to the study, different types of NETs affect people of a certain age. Merkel cell tumor affects people of age over 70 years. However, more than 60% of people diagnosed with carcinoid cancer are between the age of 50-60.  • Weak Immune System The immune system is the powerhouse of the body that fights against infections. When it starts to weaken due to abnormal cells, the risk of getting NETs increases; another factor that may give rise to this cancer is overexposure to direct sunlight.

  11. What Are The Possible Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatments? • Hormone Therapy Hormone therapy is used to slow down the growth of the tumor. It doesn’t shrink the tumor size but is beneficial in controlling the divided cells. The main goal of this therapy is to control the fluid released from the tumor along with hormones.  • Targeted Therapy Targeted therapy is the widely used cancer treatment. During this therapy, various drugs are used to target the tumor’s specific genes, cells, and tissues. The most significant advantage of targeted therapy is that it stops the growth of tumors without damaging healthy cells. Doctors also conduct additional tests to learn more about cancer. Some of the popular drugs used in this therapy are Sutent and Afinitor. • Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is used when the tumor spreads into different body parts. It is usually given before the surgery to clear the tumor’s location. During the treatment, a high intensity of radiation is used to shrink the size of NET. 

  12. What Is The Survival Rate Of Neuroendocrine Tumors? Usually, the survival rate of NETs is measured on a 5-year basis. Experts also consider the various groups of cancer, like local, regional, and distant, to know about the survival rate. Here is the estimated survival rate of different types and stages of NET: • Localized NET: 97% • Regional NET: 95% • Distant NET: 66% • Pancreatic tumor: 94% • Lung tumor: 87% • Gastrointestinal tumor: 95% • Other stages of NETs: 52%-58% This survival rate is an estimate based on the research. Various things are considered to calculate the percentage, like symptoms and tumor location. To get a better idea of the survival rate in your case, consult with a cancer specialist.

  13. Conclusion • There are various causes behind getting tumors in neuroendocrine cells. This tumor generally forms in the endocrine cells and grows rapidly. NETs can form in any part of the body and affect people of different ages. So, it is essential to know neuroendocrine tumor types, symptoms, and treatment during their early stages.  • Some common locations where these tumors may occur in your body are the lungs, pancreas, adrenal glands, and digestive tract. It may show little or no symptoms at all. Once you feel the bump on the body part, visit the doctor as soon as possible. • University Cancer Centers have a team of specialists providing proven cancer treatments. We carefully diagnose the tumor and offer safe treatment to our patients. Most of our therapy is non-invasive and starts showing results after a few sessions. You will get full support and extensive care from us. To book your appointment, call (713)-474-1414.

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