It’s only a couple of weeks since I celebrated my 15th year since diagnosis of metastatic small intestine Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) at Grade 2. 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 Stage IV. I think it’s a sign of many things, including but not limited to, early intervention by inquisitive healthcare professionals following vague symptoms, early access to a NET multidisciplinary team (MDT). Of course, human resilience must also be a factor. I didn’t take this diagnosis lying down, I stood up and marched forward, diverting around obstacles on the way. I must also add my wife Chris, who inspires and motivates me to keep going. I class her as a ‘virtual member’ of my MDT!
The NET expertise available to me meant that I was provided with early and well considered treatment options, including 3 surgeries by experts in the field of neuroendocrine and endocrine diseases, a liver emobolisation and the use of somatostatin analogues since shortly after diagnosis to tackle the clear evidence of carcinoid syndrome. That was finally suppressed 6 months after diagnosis. Thinking back, it did explain the odd symptoms I was experiencing prior to diagnosis. As stability improved, so my surveillance periods were lengthened, first to six months at year 5, then to 12 months at year 10. There was a blip at year 8 where it increased but that just shows the versality and reaction of a professional MDT.
2025 Plan. Lanreotide will continue at 90mg as it has been since the first injection in Dec 2010. My Oncologist said it is reasonable to assume my low volume metastatic disease is being suppressed by Lanreotide. My blood tests are generally OK, everything is within tolerable limits. I’m definitely healthier today than I was at diagnosis, despite the 15 years of advancing age. I’m also much fitter than I have been for a good while and I remain motivated to maintain a normal life. I go back for another round of surveillance in 12 months. Further lengthening of my surveillance period beyond a year remains a possibility. We shall see next year!
Thank you for reading and joining me for this 15 year journey or at least since you’ve been following my blog or social media pages!
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I am not a doctor or any form of medical professional, practitioner or counsellor. None of the information on my website, or linked to my website(s), or conveyed by me on any social media or presentation, should be interpreted as medical advice given or advised by me.
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- SYHX2008: A New Self‑Injectable subcutaneous Long‑acting Octreotide on the Horizon for NETs
Disclaimer:Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the… Read more: SYHX2008: A New Self‑Injectable subcutaneous Long‑acting Octreotide on the Horizon for NETs - Small tumours – big impact
In oncology, a “small” tumour generally refers to a mass that is 2cm or less in diameter. Tumours under 1 cm are often described as “very small”. These small growths typically fall into the earliest clinical staging categories (such as T1) where they are highly localized and have not spread beyond nearby structures. Tumor Size… Read more: Small tumours – big impact - The Invisibility of Neuroendocrine Tumours (NET) – an awareness post by Ronny Allan
“Invisible cancer” typically refers to malignancies that evade early detection or disguise themselves as other common, non-life-threatening ailments. This term is very frequently associated with Neuroendocrine Tumours which are very often difficult to spot on standard imaging and blood tests. When I was diagnosed, I didn’t even feel ill. It was therefore a bit of… Read more: The Invisibility of Neuroendocrine Tumours (NET) – an awareness post by Ronny Allan - Spotlight on Ovarian Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Disclaimer: The information in this Spotlight is provided for general information and education only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare professional, nor to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Always discuss your individual situation, symptoms, test results, and treatment options with your own doctor… Read more: Spotlight on Ovarian Neuroendocrine Neoplasms - Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering May 2026
Just back from holiday thus why the late publication! Summary of May 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET I think the main story of May is similar to March and April which was a strong blog performance. Other key targets met were the two main primary NET types (small intestine and pancreas) and one not so common(thymus) have finally been… Read more: Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering May 2026 - Fat‑Soluble Vitamins in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs): Why Deficiency Happens and Who Is Most at Risk
This blog provides general educational information only. It does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their clinical team for personalised guidance. Introduction: What Are Fat‑Soluble Vitamins? Fat‑soluble vitamins — A, D, E and K — are nutrients that can only be absorbed when dietary fat is digested properly. They… Read more: Fat‑Soluble Vitamins in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs): Why Deficiency Happens and Who Is Most at Risk - Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – A Spotlight on Vitamin B9 (Folate)
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 concerns… Read more: Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – A Spotlight on Vitamin B9 (Folate) - Neuroendocrine Tumours – A Spotlight on Vitamin E (Tocopherols & Tocotrienols)
🟧A general‑population overview with NET‑specific considerations where relevant. Disclaimer: This Spotlight provides general educational information about Vitamin E. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual needs vary, particularly for those with conditions affecting digestion or absorption. Always consult your medical team before making changes to supplements or nutrition. What is Vitamin E? Vitamin… Read more: Neuroendocrine Tumours – A Spotlight on Vitamin E (Tocopherols & Tocotrienols) - Neuroendocrine Tumours – A Spotlight on Vitamin A (Retinol)
Disclaimer: This Spotlight provides general educational information about Vitamin A. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual needs vary, particularly for those with conditions affecting digestion, absorption, or liver function. Always consult your medical team before making changes to supplements or nutrition. 🟧A general‑population overview with NET‑specific considerations where relevant. What is Vitamin… Read more: Neuroendocrine Tumours – A Spotlight on Vitamin A (Retinol) - 200 Lanreotide Injections: A Milestone in Long‑Term Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) Management
Disclaimer: Educational and advocacy content only. Not a substitute for medical advice. Two hundred injections. It’s a milestone that carries weight — not because of the number itself, but because of what it represents: continuity, stability, and the lived reality of managing Neuroendocrine Cancer over the long term. Lanreotide has been part of my life… Read more: 200 Lanreotide Injections: A Milestone in Long‑Term Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) Management - Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – A Spotlight on Vitamin K (Phylloquinone / Menaquinones)
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 concerns… Read more: Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – A Spotlight on Vitamin K (Phylloquinone / Menaquinones) - A spotlight on Colon Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Disclaimer: This Spotlight is for general information only and should not be used as a substitute for personalised medical advice. Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are diverse, and individual cases vary. Always discuss your specific situation, test results, and treatment options with your own specialist team. Content reflects current evidence and classifications at the time of writing… Read more: A spotlight on Colon Neuroendocrine Neoplasms - Spotlight on Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (Thymic NENs)
Disclaimer:The information in this Spotlight is for general education and awareness. It does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) are complex and highly variable, and individual cases may differ significantly from the patterns described here. Always discuss your own situation, test results, and treatment options with your specialist team,… Read more: Spotlight on Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (Thymic NENs) - An unmissable update from Ronny Allan covering April 2026
A monthly update not to miss……..Summary of April 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET I think the main story of April is similar to March which was a strong blog performance. Some of March was so popular that it has rolled into April and I have tried to beat those figures but failed due to external pressures. Nonetheless, the… Read more: An unmissable update from Ronny Allan covering April 2026
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