Just back from a nice relaxing holiday in Tenerife. I don’t know about you but when overseas I find myself looking for ‘hotspots’ everywhere I go……. I don’t mean trendy entertainment venues, I’m talking about the modern phenomenon known as a WiFi signal! I also mean free and open connections. Even recent price reductions within Europe did not tempt me to use ‘data’ overseas and I didn’t even want to take advantage of the £2 per day upgrade of my mobile phone account which would give me access to my minutes/MBs overseas on a temporary basis. I just look for free WiFi and I also make a point of turning off ‘data’ on my phone before leaving the country to avoid expensive mistakes. No Scottish jokes please, I’m just frugal 🙂
My hotspot finding in Tenerife was relatively successful – it isn’t rocket science. However, that’s the second time in the last month I’ve been involved in ‘finding hotspots’. The first was explained in my blog posts: Results. and: Nuclear scans. As a reminder, the Octreotide Scan is currently the gold standard for ‘finding hotspots‘ in NET patients, although newer techniques and binding agents are coming on line which have greater efficiency (e.g. Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT). A hotspot was identified in 2010 (amongst others) in the area of my neck – specifically in the left Supraclavicular Fossa (SCF) lymph nodes (collar bone area). There was also some take-up in my left axillary nodes (armpit). The armpit nodes were palpable and therefore resected in Feb 2012 as a follow on from major surgery in 2010 and 2011. During the same procedure, the surgeon also opened me up in the area of the left SCF nodes and removed 5 of them. However, all of these 5 nodes tested negative and given the findings (and the nature) of the Octreotide scan, this was unusual (to me). Read about these hotspots click here.
I met with my Consultant before going on holiday and he explained my test results were all good but that there was still a ‘hotspot’ showing up on the Octreotide scan in my neck. The scanning machine is newer technology than the one used in my previous Octreotide scans. It also has a built-in CT (SPECT) scanner and therefore the ability to overlay multiple types of scans. In fact the radiologist is reporting the neck hotspot location as the thyroid rather than the left SCF lymph nodes indicated in the two previous scans in 2010 and 2011. All very confusing at the time but it has since been confirmed as two separate problems, they thyroid is just a nodule and not NET
Whatever is going on in my neck area has been there for at least 4 years but as my biochemistry results are good, I guess it’s not life threatening. Nonetheless, 3 separate Octreotide scans have lit up an area in my neck indicating there is a risk which needs to be managed. My Consultant has been investigating whilst I was on holiday, so will provide updates in future blogs.
Ronny
2026. Things have moved on since I wrote t his in 2014!
- Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering August 2026
Summary of August 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET August was similar to the other months of this year but like July, views are down on the previous two months due to 50% of the month spent on holiday. Still a reasonable blog performance – I can’t complain. Other key targets met were three more editions of the Spotlight… Read more: Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering August 2026 - External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Disclaimer: The information in this section is for education only and does not represent a standard care pathway or service. These treatments are not suitable for everyone, and careful patient selection by an experienced multidisciplinary team is essential. Always discuss your individual situation with your own specialist team. External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) is… Read more: External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms - 2026 Surveillance Update from Ronny Allan: “See you in 12 months”
It’s only a couple of weeks since I celebrated my 16th year since diagnosis of metastatic small intestine Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) at Grade 2 on 26th July 2010. Thinking back to that period of my life, I’m happy but also slightly amazed to be celebrating such a long milestone having been diagnosed with cancer at… Read more: 2026 Surveillance Update from Ronny Allan: “See you in 12 months” - Spotlight: Selenium in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)
Before you read this This information is designed to help you understand how vitamins and minerals work in the body and how certain NET‑related factors might influence them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs vary widely. If you… Read more: Spotlight: Selenium in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) - Spotlight: Potassium in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)
Before you read this This information is designed to help you understand how vitamins and minerals work in the body and how certain NET-related factors might affect them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs can vary widely.… Read more: Spotlight: Potassium in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) - Spotlight: Magnesium in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)
Before you read thisThis information is designed to help you understand how vitamins and minerals work in the body and how certain NET-related factors might affect them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs can vary widely. If you… Read more: Spotlight: Magnesium in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) - Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering July 2026
Summary of July 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET July was similar to the other months of this year but views down on the previous two months due to 50% of the month spent on holiday. Still a reasonable blog performance. Other key targets met were three more editions of the Spotlight series on vitamins and minerals. See… Read more: Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering July 2026 - 16 years since diagnosis, I’m still here
I finally made 16 years since I was diagnosed on 26th July 2010. A milestone I was not certain at the time I would reach. However, as things progressed, as treatment was administered, and as I got used to living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, I eventually became more confident this was a possibility with the help […]
- Spotlight on Cushing’s Syndrome in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Intro Cushing’s syndrome is one of the most challenging hormonal complications seen in people with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). It can be subtle, severe, or even life‑threatening — and it is often misunderstood. Many patients struggle for months or years before receiving a correct diagnosis, partly because the symptoms overlap with everyday conditions such as weight… Read more: Spotlight on Cushing’s Syndrome in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms - 14th July 2026 – Ronny Allan hits 3 million blog views!
Today, 14th July 2026, I can confirm the 3 million views milestone has been reached. MASSIVE THANKS to you guys for reading and sharing. When I first set up this blog in April 2014, it was just to help spread awareness (….and collect a few pennies) whilst I was walking the 84 miles of… Read more: 14th July 2026 – Ronny Allan hits 3 million blog views! - Spotlight: Zinc in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)
Before you read thisThis information is designed to help you understand how vitamins work in the body and how certain NET-related factors might affect them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs can vary widely. If you have… Read more: Spotlight: Zinc in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) - Neuroendocrine Tumours – Iron
Disclaimer: This Spotlight provides general educational information about Iron. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual needs vary, particularly for those with conditions affecting digestion, absorption, or chronic blood loss. Always consult your medical team before making changes to supplements or nutrition. Before I knew I had metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumours, I was diagnosed… Read more: Neuroendocrine Tumours – Iron - Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering June 2026
Headline – half yearly point bonus edition Summary of June 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET June was similar to the other months of this year but slightly down on the previous two months due to holiday. Still a strong blog performance. Other key targets met were three more editions of the Spotlight series on primary NET types (colon, thymic… Read more: Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering June 2026
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Hi Ronny, I read all your messages etc and have a good laugh at some of your comments . I’m not very good at facebook etc but be assured I’m thinking of you and Chris. Keep the correspondence coming you are a much braver person than me but don’t tell anyone LOL If I can ever do anything for you or Chris I’m here. Best wishes
Jim Sykes
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 14:18:46 +0000 To: sykesjst@hotmail.com