A spotlight on NENs Archives

11 Jun 2026

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Spotlight on Ovarian Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

A spotlight on NENs, Spotlight on NENs - Types SeriesOvarian cancer, Ovarian NEC, Ovarian NEN, Ovarian NET, Ovary, Teratoma

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 or specialist team. Do not ignore or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read here. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and currency, no guarantee can be given that all information is complete, correct, or up to date, and…

22 May 2026

By Ronny Allan

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Fat‑Soluble Vitamins in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs): Why Deficiency Happens and Who Is Most at Risk

A spotlight on NENs, Diet and Nutrition, Patient AdvocacyBile acid malabsorption, Fat malabsorption, Fat soluble vitamins, Malabsorption, Vitamin A, Vitamin ADEK, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K

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 rely on bile acids, pancreatic enzymes, and a healthy small intestine (especially the jejunum and ileum) to form tiny droplets called micelles, which carry these vitamins across the gut wall. Unlike water‑soluble vitamins, they are stored in the liver and fatty tissues, so deficiencies develop…

17 May 2026

By Ronny Allan

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Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – A Spotlight on Vitamin B9 (Folate)

A spotlight on NENs, Diet and NutritionAnemia, Folate, Malabsorption, Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), Vitamin B9

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 about vitamin levels, supplements, or symptoms, please speak with your NET clinical team. They can assess your individual situation and guide you safely. 🟧 SPOTLIGHT: FOLATE (Vitamin B9) - A general‑population overview with NET‑specific considerations where relevant. Disclaimer: This Spotlight provides general educational information…

16 May 2026

By Ronny Allan

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Neuroendocrine Tumours – A Spotlight on Vitamin E (Tocopherols & Tocotrienols)

A spotlight on NENs, Diet and Nutrition, Patient AdvocacyFat malabsorption, Fat soluble vitamins, Malabsorption, Vitamin ADEK, Vitamin E

🟧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 E is a group of fat‑soluble antioxidants that protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. The most biologically active form in humans is alpha‑tocopherol. Vitamin E is stored in fatty tissues and depends on normal fat absorption. What does Vitamin E do? Acts as a major…

10 May 2026

By Ronny Allan

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A spotlight on Colon Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

A spotlight on NENs, A spotlight on NENs - TypesAscending colon, C, Cecum, Colon NET, Colorectal cancer, Descending Colon, Sigmoid, Transverse Colon

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 and may evolve as new data emerge. Where the Colon Begins and Ends The colon begins at the cecum The cecum is the first part of the colon, immediately after the terminal ileum. This marks the upper boundary for defining a colon NET. The…

04 May 2026

By Ronny Allan

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Spotlight on Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (Thymic NENs)

A spotlight on NENs, A spotlight on NENs - Types, Patient Advocacy, Spotlight on NENs - Types SeriesAtypical carcinoid tumour, Atypical Thymic NET, Carcinoid, Carcinoid syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, MEN1 syndrome, Thymic NEN, Thymic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (NEC), Typical Carcinoid, Typical Thymic NET

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, including your thoracic, oncology, endocrine, or NET multidisciplinary team (MDT). If you have concerns about symptoms, progression, or treatment decisions, please seek guidance from your clinical team without delay. Spotlight on Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (Thymic NENs) A rare but important member of the NEN…

26 Apr 2026

By Ronny Allan

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Spotlight on Small intestine Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (siNENs)

A spotlight on NENs, A spotlight on NENs - Types, Patient AdvocacyCarcinoid heart disease, Carcinoid syndrome, Hedinger syndrome, Ileum, Jejunum, Mesenteric Fibrosis, Retroperitoneal Fibrosis, Small intestine NET (SI NET), Terminal ileum

DisclaimerThis Spotlight is for general education and reassurance only. It cannot replace personalised advice from your own medical team, who understand your individual history, imaging, pathology, and treatment needs. Neuroendocrine tumours vary widely in behaviour, presentation, and management, and guidance may evolve as new evidence emerges. If you have questions about your diagnosis, symptoms, or treatment plan, please discuss them directly with your specialist NET team. Small intestine neuroendocrine neoplasms (siNENs) - (Jejunum + ileum — excluding duodenum) Small intestine neuroendocrine neoplasms (siNENs) arise in the mid‑gut, specifically the ileum and jejunum. These two segments form the core of “small intestine…

23 Apr 2026

By Ronny Allan

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A Spotlight on Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

A spotlight on NENs, A spotlight on NENs - Types, Patient AdvocacyATRX, DAXX, Gastrinoma, Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (GEP-NET), Genetics, Glucagonoma, Insulinoma, MEN1 syndrome, Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), Pancreatic NEC, Pancreatic NET (PanNET), PPoma, Somatostatinoma, Tuberous sclerosis (TSC), VIPoma, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Syndrome

DisclaimerThe information in this Spotlight is for general education only. It cannot replace advice from your own medical team, who know your individual situation, test results, and treatment options. Neuroendocrine Neoplasms and related conditions are complex and research is evolving; guidance, classifications, and statistics may change over time. Always discuss any questions or concerns with your specialist team before making decisions about tests, treatments, or monitoring. Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms comprise Pancreatic NETs (well differentiated) and Pancreatic NEC (poorly differentiated) 1. What they are Pancreatic NENs arise anywhere in the head, neck, body, or tail of the pancreas and include: Well‑differentiated…

24 Jul 2025

By Ronny Allan

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My NET is different than yours

A spotlight on NENs, Awareness, Living with Neuroendocrine CancerCarcinoid syndrome, Carcinoid tumour, Heterogeneity, Heterogeneous, Neuroendocrine cancer, Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), Neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN), Neuroendocrine tumour (NET)

When you manage a large support group, you see a lot of posts. Many of them highlight a lack of knowledge about the heterogeneity of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. The issue is not always with those answering the question but often it is the person asking the question. Sometimes intervention is needed to focus responses. So, what are the key issues? Read on..... If you read any authoritative source on this cancer, it will normally begin with “Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) are heterogeneous tumours ………….” “Heterogeneous” means consisting of dissimilar parts or elements, essentially meaning “mixed” or “diverse,” but I used the term…

26 Feb 2025

By Ronny Allan

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Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

A spotlight on NENs, Awareness, Patient AdvocacyAdvanced neuroendocrine cancer, Blue Book, Carcinoid syndrome, Carcinoid tumour, Cushing's syndrome, Diagnosis, Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (ECS), Gastrinoma, Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (GEP-NET), Glucagonoma, Hormones, Incurable cancer, Insulinoma, Metastatic Neuroendocrine Cancer, Mixed Neuroendocrine Non-Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (MiNEN), NET syndromes, Neuroendocrine, Neuroendocrine cancer, Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), Neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN), Neuroendocrine tumour (NET), Somatostatinoma, VIPoma

The riddle. For many years, I've been reading and blogging about Neuroendocrine Neoplasms, NENs for short. NEN is a relatively new term which came after my diagnosis. Nomenclature is still evolving and there is always something to learn. It's also true to say the term 'Neuroendocrine Neoplasms' is the same as saying 'Neuroendocrine Cancer'. These neoplasms are cancers that begin in specialised cells called 'neuroendocrine cells'. Neuroendocrine cells have traits similar to those of nerve cells and hormone-producing cells, particularly the latter. In face one NET specialist said "While the name “neuroendocrine” implies that these tumors involve both nerve…

03 Dec 2023

By Ronny Allan

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A Spotlight on NET Syndromes – Carcinoid Syndrome

A spotlight on NENs, A spotlight on NENs - SyndromesCarcinoid syndrome, Diarrhea, Flushing

What is Carcinoid Syndrome? Carcinoid syndrome (CS) is the most frequent hormonal complication accompanying neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) and is defined by chronic diarrhoea and/or flushing in the presence of systemic elevated levels of serotonin or its metabolite 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA). Importantly, other causes of these symptoms should be considered and investigated depending on the clinical presentation. CS is predominantly encountered in patients with well-differentiated NENs (neuroendocrine tumours, NETs) of intestinal origin, followed by lung NETs, and only in a minority of patients with pancreatic, ovarian, thymic, or unknown origin NETs. The main symptoms defining CS are skin flushing, secretory diarrhoea, bronchospasm, or…

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