November is Neuroendocrine Tumors Awareness Month

JOIN WITH THE AACR TO FIND BETTER WAYS TO PREVENT AND TREAT Neuroendocrine tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (sometimes called carcinoids) are rare, slow-growing tumors that usually start in the lining of the digestive tract and lungs. They can also occur in other parts of the body. Neuroendocrine tumors begin in the cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system, which makes and releases hormones and other substances that help control bodily functions.

Neuroendocrine tumors often do not produce symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Some patients may develop carcinoid syndrome, which can lead to flushing of the face and upper body, diarrhea, and/or difficulty breathing.

The average age at diagnosis is 61. Researchers estimate that more than 8,000 people receive a diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract every year in the United States.

The number of people diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors is increasing, partly due to the fact that more patients are having CT and MRI scans, and the quality of these scans is steadily improving. Scans taken for other reasons sometime detect neuroendocrine tumors. Colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer will sometimes find neuroendocrine tumors in the rectum.

Treatment options for neuroendocrine tumors include surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radioactive agents. The median overall survival for patients with neuroendocrine tumors is 9.3 years, varying widely based on how advanced the cancer was when diagnosed.

Risk factors for neuroendocrine tumors include having a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome or neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) syndrome. Conditions that impact the production of stomach acid, such as atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, can also increase the risk of neuroendocrine tumors.

for more information

Please see our page on Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors.