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 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 decided early on to keep fit and active after giving up work at age 59. Given what has happened beyond 2010, I’m probably fitter today than I was 30 years ago making an allowance for the my advancing age. 30 years ago while serving in the military, I climbed the biggest mountain in England (Scafell Pike) and 30 years later, I was able to slog up the smaller neighbour in the Lake District, Catbells in July 2026 (see lead photo). I must also add my wife Chris, who inspires and motivates me to keep going. We literally pulled each other up that hill! I class her as a ‘virtual member’ of my MDT.
I can’t take all the credit though. 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. It was a crazy time and it was not the carcinoid syndrome that got me to a diagnosis, I just thought that was something weird. It was finally suppressed 6 months after diagnosis. However, 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. The move to 12 month surveillance was a huge vote of confidence and the later accolades of “evidence of disease but stable“, “reassuringly stable” and “no evidence of progressive disease” were also gladly accepted.
2026 Plan. Lanreotide will continue at 90mg as it has been since the first injection in Dec 2010. Last year, 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’ll continue to stay health as possible and keep on at my fitness. I remain motivated to maintain a normal life. I will continue to support others through my public pages and my blog. If you need a private support group, I have that too – see below.
“See you in 12 months”
Thank you for reading and joining me on this 16 year journey or at least since you’ve been following my blog or social media pages!
Disclaimer
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.
Neither should any post or comment made by a follower or member of my private group be assumed to be medical advice, even if that person is a healthcare professional.
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 counter drugs and supplements such as vitamins and minerals.
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- Amneal Lanreotide Approved by US FDA
Amneal launches first CGT‑designated U.S. generic lanreotide — what NET patients need to know Amneal has launched the first Competitive Generic Therapy (CGT)‑designated U.S. generic for lanreotide, a major milestone in a market long dominated by Ipsen’s Somatuline® Depot. The product — lanreotide injection 120 mg/0.5 mL in a sterile single‑dose prefilled syringe —… Read more: Amneal Lanreotide Approved by US FDA - 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 […]
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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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