Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are relatively uncommon, with about 12,000 diagnoses per year in the United States. However, the rate of NET diagnoses is rising by about 5% annually. This increase is largely credited to diagnostic advances that are enabling physicians to identify NETs that may not have been recognized without the sophisticated methods now available.
Serving patients in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) is home to expert medical oncologists who are well-versed in diagnosing and treating neuroendocrine cancer, along with other forms of cancer and benign blood disorders.
Scattered throughout the body, neuroendocrine cells connect the endocrine and nervous systems, combining the characteristics of hormone-producing endocrine cells and nerve cells. Neuroendocrine tumors begin forming in these specialized cells, and though this type of cancer is uncommon, several types and subtypes of NET display symptoms often mistaken for minor medical conditions.
Complex in nature, the neuroendocrine system regulates the body’s physiological or behavioral state. Its components include the following:
This system also is home to specialized neuroendocrine cells, which control the endocrine system’s release of hormones. Aside from enabling hormones to coordinate various bodily functions, the neuroendocrine system also creates its own hormones, which regulate functions within the organs where they live.
Cancer can develop if neuroendocrine cells divide and multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors that can metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body, if not caught and treated early. NETs are classified into two categories and include several types:
NETs can develop in people at any age, although they are most common between ages 50 and 60. Females are slightly more likely than males to develop NETs. When it comes to racial risk factors, Caucasians are generally more likely to have neuroendocrine cancer than Black people. Further, the following inherited syndromes have been linked to NETs:
Other diseases and conditions also can increase the risk for NETs, such as:
Symptoms of NETs differ based on where the malignant cells are located. They may include:
The physicians at Regional Cancer Care Associates diagnose NETs in several ways. First, they confirm the location, size, and other tumor characteristics, as well as verify whether the tumor is malignant or benign. Tests used to diagnose NETs include:
Staging is the process of establishing the tumor’s size and location, identifying how far cancer has progressed at or near its site of origin, and determining whether the cancerous cells have metastasized.
Meanwhile, grading assesses the cancer cells, considering how they appear under a microscope and at what rate they’re dividing (if at all). Both are vital for deciding on the best treatment options, as NETs can be found anywhere in the body.
Oncologists use the TNM system when evaluating tumors for staging and grading. This acronym stands for:
After evaluation, physicians may categorize NETs by the following stages, grades, or degrees of differentiation:
At Regional Cancer Care Associates, several state-of-the-art treatment options are available for patients with NETs. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Surgery is the most common treatment for NET and often is the first course of action. The type of surgery depends on the tumor’s primary location, size, stage, and grade, as well as the patient’s symptoms and overall health.
Targeted therapy involves the use of innovative, newly developed cancer drugs, which target proteins and other substances on the surface of or within NETs that drive their division and growth.
High-energy particles or rays from an external source are delivered to the cancerous tissue in a highly precise manner to kill cancer cells.
Through high doses of radiation, PRRT destroys tumors and slows their growth while reducing the symptoms of NETs.
Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Although these approaches won’t destroy NETs, modalities such as acupuncture, light therapy, and even meditation can help diminish the symptoms of NETs and the side effects of related treatments.
Beyond offering diagnosis and treatment options for NETs, Regional Cancer Care Associates also understands how challenging living with cancer can be. That’s why the team of medical oncologists offers a host of resources for supportive care and quality of life, from symptom management and psychosocial support to nutrition, patient support groups, and advocacy efforts. For more information about neuroendocrine tumor care, contact Regional Cancer Care Associates today in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, or the Washington, D.C., area. Patients are treated at more than 20 convenient locations in the region.
Every neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis is different, but you can feel confident in your prognosis when you trust your care to the oncologists at Regional Cancer Care Associates. Our compassionate, experienced team will explain all available treatment options and work with you to create the best treatment plan for your needs. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact one of our Connecticut, Maryland, or New Jersey locations today.
This passion and dedication was once again recognized when 16 doctors from RCCA were named 2023 Top Cancer Doctors as selected by health care research and information company Castle Connolly.
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