Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare malformations, and they start in the hormone-producing cells. These tumors can take place in the stomach, the pancreas or the intestine. Other NETs are over-producing the hormones and they may also present with different symptoms.
He examines your family and personal history including any genetic disease like MEN1, any lifestyle associated factor and GI or pancreatic issues in the past. A physical test examination confirms the existence of abdominal pains, lumps or abnormal hormones.
Molecular tests diagnose excessively secreted hormones that could also indicate a NET and identify a deficiency of hormones in blood or 24-hour random urine samples by use of special panels serotonin, gastrin, insulin, and cortisol.
A small fragment of tissue is taken away and a GI tract is looked at visually with the assistance of endoscope. Pathology is done to diagnose the type and grade of NET, hence guiding the targeted therapy.
These findings are discussed with a panel of oncologists, radiologists and endocrinologists with the aim of establishing a precise diagnosis and a tailor-made treatment regimen.
Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors, and they start to develop in the hormone-producing cells, typically in the stomach, pancreas, intestines, or lungs.
Dr. Chadha uses a blood and urine test, imaging (CT, MRI, PET scan) and, in some cases, endoscopic biopsy as a method of confirming the diagnosis.
The symptoms vary with the location of the tumors and the type of secretions since it mainly entails facial flushing, frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain or bloating, wheezing and unexplainable weight loss.
The commonest are carcinoid tumors (that are common in the gut or lungs) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs).
Yes. The advanced NETs can be treated using the following methods; Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT), targeted therapy, symptomatic therapy, and palliative care.
Treatment may consist of lifestyle and diet modification, somatostatin analogs, targeted therapy, anti-diarrheal and analgesics, minimal invasive treatment, surgery, and PRRT based on the tumor type and stage.
Recovery is fast after laparoscopic removal and most of the patients improve after 1-2 weeks.
Some NETs like MEN1 and family history of NETs may pose a risk of getting genetic conditions.
Yes. The symptoms can be controlled and digest better by eating small low-fat meals, drinking no caffeine or alcohol, consuming fibers and staying well hydrated.
The visits are usually done after 3-6 months of your treatment and condition upon treatment plan and your progress.
