Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) arise from hormone-producing neuroendocrine cells found throughout the body. They most commonly develop in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. NETs can be slow-growing or highly aggressive. Early detection and treatment help improve outcomes and quality of life.
Symptoms vary depending on tumor location and hormone secretion. You may experience:
The precise cause of most NETs is not known. However, several risk factors and associations have been identified:
Our Cypress team is here to provide you with expert, compassionate care at every step of your NET journey. Call us now at 832-632-4070 or book your appointment online to meet with our neuroendocrine tumor specialist. Let us help you take control of your health-today.
We've successfully treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Diagnosis typically involves blood and urine tests (eg, chromogranin A, 24-hour 5-HIAA), cross-sectional imaging such as CT or MRI scans, functional imaging (eg, PET/CT with Ga-68 DOTATATE), endoscopic ultrasound for biopsy, and tissue analysis to confirm tumor type and grade.
If detected early and fully resected, small bowel NETs can often be cured with surgery alone. In cases where the disease has spread, treatment focuses on symptom control and slowing progression rather than outright cure.
Even at stage 4, many patients live for years with modern therapies. Survival varies by tumor grade and treatment response, but targeted treatments, PRRT, and supportive care have significantly improved long-term outcomes.
Most NETs occur sporadically, but a small percentage are linked to inherited syndromes such as MEN1 or von Hippel-Lindau. A family history of NETs or related endocrine tumors warrants genetic counseling and testing.
Growth rate depends on tumor grade: low-grade (G1) NETs often grow very slowly over years, while high-grade (G3) neuroendocrine carcinomas can proliferate rapidly. Ki-67 index and mitotic count guide this assessment.
Functional NETs secrete excess bioactive hormones (eg, serotonin, gastrin, insulin) into the bloodstream, leading to flushing, diarrhea, hypoglycemia, or other systemic symptoms depending on the predominant hormone produced.
Yes. Our Cypress clinic provides peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for eligible patients with somatostatin receptor-positive NETs, using radiolabeled somatostatin analogs to deliver targeted radiation.
Many patients find relief by adhering to a symptom-friendly diet (small, frequent meals; low in simple sugars), staying well-hydrated, using prescribed somatostatin analogs or antidiarrheals, and avoiding known triggers like alcohol or spicy foods.
There is no proven way to prevent NETs. However, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and attending regular check?ups support overall health and may aid early detection.
You should consult a specialist if you experience persistent abdominal pain or fullness, unexplained weight loss, chronic diarrhea, facial flushing, or any new gastrointestinal or hormonal symptoms lasting more than a few weeks.
