4th February World Cancer Day 2025 – United by Unique
What is World Cancer Day? World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organisation dedicated to taking action on cancer. UICC unites and supports the cancer community in its efforts to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity and ensure that cancer control remains a priority on the global health and development agenda. Founded in 1933 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, UICC has more than 1120 member organisations in over 172 countries and territories. The membership base includes the world’s major cancer leagues and societies, research institutes, treatment centres, hospitals, ministries…
Ronny’s weekly update – 27th Jan – 02 Feb 2025
New or Republished Blog Posts this week https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/26/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tickbox-neuroendocrine-cancer-patient/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/27/ronnys-weekly-update-20-26-january-2025/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/28/neuroendocrine-cancer-not-all-answers-are-black-and-white/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/29/expanding-prrt-trial-of-177lu-edotreotide-solucin-compete-trial/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/02/01/a-review-of-january-2025-from-ronny-allan/ Page Neuroendocrine CancerThis is my biggest and oldest page, mostly generating blog posts for reading and sharing. Click on the icon above to browse this page. Click below to read a popular recent post. Click the graphic to read and share the post Page Ronny AllanThis is a personal themed page but also posts blogs. Follow this page for my blogs and my travel plus personal NET related updates. I also use this page to admin and moderate inside my private Facebook group I guess you like my…
If you don’t understand the heterogeneity of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms, it’s likely you don’t really understand Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
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 "heterogeneity" to refer to the quality or state of being heterogeneous, meaning the presence of diverse components within a group or system; both terms indicate a lack of uniformity or consistency. You will note I used the term Neuroendocrine Neoplasms here - that is in line with formal naming conventional per agreed International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) terms. It is…
A review of January 2025 from Ronny Allan
Here is the monthly summary of January 2025 on RonnyAllan.NETThe list of posts this month was totally unexpected! Every share helps someone understand or even work towards a diagnosis, discovery of the best doctors and treatments. The selection of top posts this month really shows the breadth of subjects applicable to Neuroendocrine Cancer that need to be considered. Click on the each of the 10 posts to read. One reason I'm thankful is because I continue to interleave personal life via short motorhome breaks or other holidays/adventures and maintenance of my blog and other social media sites. I was distracted by many personal…
Phase 3 Clinical Trial of PRRT ITM11 177Lu-Edotreotide – COMPETE for GEPNETs
Update - 13th November 2025. ITM Announces FDA Acceptance of New Drug Application (NDA) and PDUFA Date for n.c.a. ¹⁷⁷Lu-edotreotide (ITM-11) in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (GEP-NETs)Garching / Munich, Germany, November 13, 2025 - ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM), a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its filing review and accepted the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for n.c.a. 177Lu-edotreotide (also known as ITM-11 or 177Lu-edotreotide). 177Lu-edotreotide is ITM’s proprietary, synthetic, targeted radiotherapeutic investigational agent for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date…
Neuroendocrine Cancer: Not all answers are black and white
I get lots of questions. Some are direct to me by a messenger type app. Many are posed in my private group - these are normally always directed at the entire group but often I'm tagged in, a giant hint that I'm expected to reply. I don't mind too much but my answer is generally the same whichever scenario. Where I'm not tagged, I'm still happy to answer along with others in the same post. Sometimes I only comment as part of my moderating role in the group. In the early days, I would generally contribute to most posts but…
Ronny’s weekly update 20-26 January 2025
New or Republished Blog Posts this week https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/26/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tickbox-neuroendocrine-cancer-patient/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/24/neuroendocrine-cancer-ga68-pet-scan-a-game-changer/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/22/neuroendocrine-cancer-to-cut-or-not-to-cut/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/21/neuroendocrine-cancer-my-liver-surgery/ https://ronnyallan.net/2025/01/18/every-picture-tells-a-story/ Page Neuroendocrine Cancer This is my biggest and oldest page, mostly generating blog posts for reading and sharing. Click on the icon above to browse this page. Click below to read a popular recent post. Click the graphic to read and share the post Page Ronny Allan This is a personal themed page but also posts blogs. Follow this page for my blogs and my travel plus personal NET related updates. I also use this page to admin and moderate inside my private Facebook group an oldie but…
There’s no such thing as a ‘tickbox’ Neuroendocrine Cancer patient
Thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer every day. Many types of cancer have big patient populations due to the prevalence of diagnoses. They are so common that billions have been ploughed into research and care services. Doctors are used to seeing lots of these patients and they have tried and tested treatments and care protocols. Many will come out of their treatments and be under surveillance for a period (normally 5 years but this differ with different cancer types) and then be declared in remission, or even cured. The problem with certain cancer symptoms is that they are not…
Neuroendocrine Cancer: Somatostatin Receptor (e.g. Ga68, Cu64) PET Scans – a game changer?
I was diagnosed in 2010 with metastatic NETs clearly showing on CT scan, the staging was confirmed via an Octreotide Scan which in addition pointed out two further deposits above the diaphragm (one of which has since been dealt with). In addition to routine surveillance via CT scan, I had two further Octreotide Scans in 2011 and 2013 following 3 surgeries, these confirmed the surveillance CT findings of the remnant disease. The third scan in 2013 highlighted an additional lesion in my thyroid (still under a watch and wait regime, biopsy inconclusive - but read on....). In 2018, my 6…
Surgery for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms – to cut or not to cut?
Surgery can sometimes be a tough call (......to cut or not to cut?) I see a lot of patients asking very specific surgical questions in my group (and also direct messages to me). Some ask outright "should I get surgery" and that is a very difficult question for anyone to ask, and should be something directed at their own doctors. If they lack trust in their doctors, they should seek a second opinion. All I can do, along with others in my private patient group, is to let these people know about our own experiences. 'To cut or not to…
Neuroendocrine Cancer – my liver surgery
From day 1 of my diagnosis, I knew my liver was going to need some attention, but I had always known that total removal of all tumours would not be possible - the diagnostic scan confirmed I had an incurable disease. This critical organ did in fact produce the biopsy confirming Neuroendocrine Cancer. The early scans indicated multiple liver lesions and an Octreotide scan reported several with quite avid isotope activity. However, as you can see from my clinical history, they first stabilised my syndrome via daily Octreotide so my tumours were subdued ready for major surgery which took place…
Ronny Allan – Every picture tells a story
I always try to use graphics for a number of pictures, I admit mainly to catch people's attention but also because sometimes a picture on its own tells a story or at least provides a great introduction to one. If the picture catches your eye, clicking on will take you to the text. This post will auto update as new blogs are published. thanks for reading and sharing! Scroll, point, click, read, share! 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),…
Neuroendocrine Cancer: Diagnosing the Undiagnosed
Neuroendocrine Cancer is one of a number of "difficult to diagnose" conditions. Many types of Neuroendocrine Cancer come with an associated syndrome and these syndromes can mimic everyday illnesses. In many cases, people don't even feel ill while the tumours grow. Most types of this cancer are slow-growing but there are also aggressive versions. Although things appear to be improving in diagnostic terms, it can sometimes take years for someone to be finally diagnosed correctly and get treatment, albeit in some cases, too late for any hope of a curative scenario. It's a very sneaky type of cancer and if…
Somatostatin Analogues for Neuroendocrine Cancer: Lanreotide and Octreotide
Updated and reviewed 15th January 2025. Somatostatin Analogues are the 'workhorse' treatments for those living with NETs, particularly where certain syndromes are involved. So not just for classic NETs with Carcinoid Syndrome but also for treating the hormone over secretions caused by insulinoma, gastrinoma, glucagonoma and VIPoma (all types of pNETs) and others. They are most effective if the NETs express somatostatin receptors. They also have an anti-tumour effect but more of a slowing down of growth rather than a killing or reduction of tumour size - but there are always outliers where such effects are displayed. Somatostatin is actually a naturally…
Neuroendocrine Cancer – If you can see it, you can detect it!
Updated December 2025BackgroundScanning is a key diagnostic support and surveillance tool for any cancer. Even though you have elevated bloods or urine (....or not), a picture of your insides is really like a thousand words.... and each picture has a story behind it. Scanning can be a game changer in the hunt for tumours and although scans do not normally confirm the cancer type and grade, they certainly help with that piece of detective work and are key in the staging of the cancer.When I read stories of people in a difficult diagnosis, I always find myself saying 'a scan might resolve this' and…
Neuroendocrine Cancer Surgery – Small Intestine NET, my own experience (part 2)
The surgery on 9 Nov 2010 had lasted 9 hours but according to my surgeon Mr Neil Pearce (on the left on the picture below), I tolerated it well. My first week was quite tough and I outlined how this went in my blog 'patient experience' part 1. If you've not read it yet, please click on this link before reading any further.By this stage of my stay, I'm now minus most of the temporary tubes attached to my body, a good sign of recovery. The one which seemed to offer me the greatest freedom when removed was the urine catheter.…
Neuroendocrine Cancer Surgery – Small Intestine NET, my own experience (part 1)
8th - 26th November 2010 Memories of my 18-day stay in the hospital from 8 - 26 Nov 2010, are not only reminding me of how important that particular treatment was to be, but also how surreal it felt at the time. Some of it is still a blur, particularly the early days when morphine was in control. For many NET patients, surgery can be a mainstay treatment, even for those with metastatic disease. In fact, I now know from my own research that NETs are one of a small number of cancers for which surgical debulking can in many…
Nick Robinson – Neuroendocrine Cancer – the devil is in the detail
Originally published March 2015. Updated 10th February 2025 Nick Robinson, well-known and ex-BBC Political Editor starts his new job today (16 Nov 15) on BBC Radio 4. He was until earlier this year, the most recognised political reporter face on UK TV, frequently stood outside 10 Downing St reporting on anything politics and at any time of the day. Nick is pretty good at painting politicians into a corner, trying to eek out what they really think, not the 'spin' which they are normally pretty good at. Like a lot of people, Nick's life changed when he was diagnosed with…
Neuroendocrine Cancer: Watch and wait or watch and worry?
Watch and wait Not all cancers are the same. Not all Neuroendocrine Cancers are the same either! The technical term is heterogeneity and the term "Neuroendocrine Neoplasms are a group of heterogenous tumours" is commonly found in many texts. Some cancers grow quickly but many grow slowly, or even very slowly. When you are diagnosed with some types of cancer, you might not need treatment straight away. Doctors then monitor you with regular check ups and tests. They sometimes call this 'watch and wait'. Watch and wait means that you have cancer, but you do not need treatment straight away.…
A review of 2024 from Ronny Allan
ReviewBlog. It was a funny old year in 2024. New challenges prevented me from exploiting the increase in followers and views of 2022/2023 following the slight slump during the pandemic, coupled with the introduction of new Facebook algorithms which treated non-profits such as myself as businesses (clearly a tactic to increase advertising revenue). Personal challenges included some strange symptoms which I self diagnose as Hives (urticaria) for the first 6 months and the last two months of 2024. This led to me to write two posts (Histamine The NET Effect and Hives (Urticaria) The NET EffectI still managed to push…
A review of December 2024 from Ronny Allan
From Ronny Allan. Here is the monthly summary of December 2024 on RonnyAllan.NET A quiet month due to holiday and grateful for those who continued to read and share my articles while I was absent. I wish I could do more but there's just little old me! And Chris too of course for those following my exploits on Facebook Page Ronny Allan. Fortunately I have a great 2IC and admin team in my private group, so that runs as normal. Firstly, I'll list the top 10 performing blog posts in December, I can assure you there is some great information in…
A Christmas 2024 message from Ronny
Background to 2024 I've only ever sent these on Facebook but since last year, after some challenges, I wanted to make sure I covered anyone who supports my sites via one channel whether it is Twitter (X), Facebook, Newsletter or direct from a subscription to my website. All of the outlets above have kept my viewing figures high, I guess I can't complain about a 2024 total of over 285,000 blog hits (so far), a figure higher than 2023. I've had a lot of personal issues to deal with in 2024, including some strange health stuff, so I'm delighted this…
Lanreotide – 15 more years
I first wrote this blog early in 2015 and I borrowed the term 'Four More Years' from the US presidential election campaigns, a big topic at that time. At the time of writing I had just celebrated being on Lanreotide for 4 years (my first treatment was 9th December 2010). Curiously I was only asking for another 4 years but my blog title meant I was somewhat restricted in choice of timescale! I posted the original below. I now find myself writing a follow-up post 11 years later. Had someone asked me if I thought I would be repeating this…
Neuroendocrine Cancer: When you get years added to your life, it’s important to get life added to your years
Self Pity or Self Help? I'm not one for wallowing in self-pity or accepting invites to pity parties. It's not my style. Things happen in life, and some are impossible to undo so I want to get on with my life in the best way possible. To some of you, that may sound harsh and insensitive, but I don't lack empathy for others (my advocacy work is a testament to that) and I'm constantly sympathising with others in my quest to help them via my blog, Facebook pages, and private Facebook group (see green box below) which is the biggest in…
Neuroendocrine Cancer – tumour markers and hormone levels
Originally published 2016, updated October 2025 Background Some people hear the terms "tumour markers" and "hormone levels" when they are diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs). That might be confusing or even alarming at the time. Most people diagnosed with cancer will have had a form of medical testing at some point in their life, i.e. the sampling and testing of blood, urine, saliva, stool or body tissue. With NENs, the medical staff are just measuring the content of a 'substance' and then taking a view whether this is normal or not based on pre-determined ranges. These tests are normally done…
RonnyAllan.NET – A Review of November 2024
Here is the monthly summary of November 2024 on RonnyAllan.NETI paid little attention to 10th Nov awareness (I do enough on the other 364 days!) plus it is a personal time for me with surgery cancerversaries etc. The top post this month was totally unexpected as it was an update of quite an old entry on my website - just goes to show that some studies go on for many years! Every share helps someone understand or even work towards a diagnosis, discovery of the best doctors and treatments. The selection of top posts this month really shows the breadth of…
It’s scary searching Cancer online
When my diagnosing specialist suggested I had Neuroendocrine Cancer, he also told me not to go online whilst we awaited the results of the liver biopsy. I completely ignored that and went online! I very quickly discovered why he said that because the Neuroendocrine Cancer information online in 2010 was indeed scary, despite me being a very experienced user of computers and the internet; and despite me being to some extent, an information worker. It's not just knowing where to look, it's also about the interpretation and knowing what is current and what is out of date. As a novice…
Happy Thanksgiving
I have been posting this every year on last Thursday in November and I kept forgetting that other countries other than USA (and Territories of the United States) also do Thanksgiving but mostly on different dates. This includes (but is probably not limited to): Canada, Brazil, Grenada, Liberia, Saint Lucia, Leiden (Netherlands), Norfolk Island (Australia). I hope you all had/have a great Thanksgiving Day! Turkey and Sleep Now ........ I hate to stereotype but I guess a lot of you might be eating turkey on Thanksgiving Day? No Thanksgiving is complete without a turkey at the table (... so I'm told!). …
The Invisible NET Patient Population
First published August 2017 but updated several times UPDATED TO INCUDE PUBLISHED US FIGURES IN 2025 OPINION I found some of the quotes from the recent NET SEER Database study (Dasari et al) very interesting. The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program is a comprehensive source of population-based information initiated in 1973 that is updated annually. Although the study is US-based, it represents the largest study of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) ever recorded and is therefore a good guide to what might be found beyond USA. Almost 7 times the rate recorded in the 1970s. If you…
Temozolomide and Survivin Long Peptide Vaccine (SurVaxM) for the Treatment of Patients With Progressing Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
What are cancer vaccines?I remember seeing a comment by a NET Specialist on twitter saying, "We need vaccines". This was in response to a tweet from another NET Specialist reporting dismal data from an immunotherapy drug for Neuroendocrine Carcinomas. In 2020/2021, the word vaccine has been used a lot, but this specialist was not inferring anti-viral treatment, he was talking about "cancer vaccines", an emerging discipline in science where vaccines act as an immunostimulant to treat cancer. This prompted me to look around and found this trial which may be of interest to you. However, before anyone gets too excited,…
18 days in November 2010 – by Ronny Allan
I'm publishing this 14 years to the day I walked out of hospital holding the hand of my wife Chris.After a diagnosis of advanced Neuroendocrine Tumours on 26th July 2010, many things were lined up for me. Some were on the critical path and had to be sequenced. Many of them were pieces of evidence to support a treatment, which for many with advanced Neuroendocrine Tumours, offered the best hope for living longer - debulking surgery. People with very aggressive cancers at Stage IV may not be offered surgery, but one of the features of low grade metastatic NETs i.e. advanced…
Ronny Allan’s roundup week ending 24th November 2024
New or Republished Blog Posts this week https://ronnyallan.net/2024/11/24/in-the-war-on-neuroendocrine-cancer-lets-not-forget-to-win-the-battle-for-better-quality-of-life/https://ronnyallan.net/2024/11/23/carcinoid-whats-in-a-name/https://ronnyallan.net/2024/11/21/running-in-the-family-multiple-endocrine-neoplasia-men/https://ronnyallan.net/2024/11/14/update-oncolytic-virus-trials-for-neuroendocrine-cancer/Twitter, X and BlueskyTwitter became X and still called twitter but Bluesky is a new kid on the block, works like twitter/X. You can get me on Bluesky by clicking here (clearly you also need a Bluesky account).https://bsky.app/profile/ronnyallan.bsky.socialFacebook - Neuroendocrine Cancer (the original)This is my main page posting blogs and other NET stuff. Click here to browse the page and follow or like please if you've not already done so. Feed below too.Facebook - World Neuroendocrine Cancer Day (the original)This is my other page posting blogs and other NET stuff but mainly focussed on…
In the war on Neuroendocrine Cancer, let’s not forget to win the battle for better quality of life
Originally published March 2017 OPINION. Date of Article March 2017. In the last 24 months, there seems to have been announcement after announcement of new and/or upgraded/enhanced diagnostics and treatment types for Neuroendocrine Cancer. Increased availability of radionuclide scans, increased availability of radionuclide therapies, combination therapies, increased availability of somatostatin analogues, biological therapies, enhanced surgical and minimally invasive techniques, new oral drugs for carcinoid syndrome, more trials including immunotherapy. Admittedly, some of the announcements are just expansions of existing therapies having been approved in new regions. Compared to some other cancers, even those which hit the headlines often, we appear…
Carcinoid – What’s in a name?
A quick primer on the word 'CARCINOID'. It originates from the term 'Carcinoma-like'. 'CARCIN' is a truncation of Carcinoma (by definition cancerous or malignant tumour). 'OID' is a suffix meaning 'resembling' or 'like'. This infers that Carcinoid cannot be a truly malignant tumour - thus the confusion. The most worrying connotation of the use of the word ‘Carcinoid’ is the belief that they all have benign clinical and biological behaviour. That is dangerous thinking which could end up killing people. There is now widespread use of the term Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) and this is based on the latest classification scheme pushed…
A spotlight on Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN)
First published 2015, updated for 2025.OverviewWe all know that Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) and their syndromes are complex but there is even more complexity to be found in a group of related disorders known as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN). I recommend all NET patients should try to understand the basics of MEN and vice versa, particularly as both conditions seem to come with a plethora of endocrine-related effects.MEN patients will normally have a tumour in at least two endocrine glands - thus the terms 'Multiple' and 'Endocrine' (tumours can also develop in other organs and tissues). Neoplasia is just another name…
Update – Oncolytic Virus Trials for Neuroendocrine Cancer
Updated 28th May 2025 What exactly are Oncolytic Viruses? Oncolytic Viruses infect and break down cancer cells but not normal cells. Oncolytic viruses can occur naturally or can be made in the laboratory by changing other viruses. Certain oncolytic viruses are being studied in the treatment of cancer. Some scientists say they are another type of immunotherapy whilst others say it's too early to classify them as such. The good news is that Neuroendocrine Cancer seems to figure in this work with two of these viruses apparently working on mice to date. Listed below are two active projects involving NETs,…
Living with Neuroendocrine Tumours – the 14 year itch
Following a diagnosis of metastatic small intestine NET in 2010, I wrote a blog in 2017 entitled "The 7 year itch". I thought I would re-release it having reached 14 years and almost 7 years since it was published. When I wrote it, I was inferring a link between Lanreotide and my ongoing leg itching. After some years, I also started to see correlations between itching and many other things including but not limited to the seasons of the year (i.e. it seemed to be worse in the winter). As another example, I also noticed itchy skin could be caused…
I woke up on World Neuroendocrine Cancer Day
1 year after 2 x surgery - at a ball organised by my surgeon Macmillan Cancer Support featured this post CKN featured this post 5 years after 3 surgeries 10 years after surgery 14 years after first surgery It was 10th November 2010 just after midnight. I gradually woke up after a marathon 9-hour surgery - the first of what was to be several visits to an operating theatre. The last thing I remembered before going 'under' was the voices of the surgical staff. When I woke up, I remember it being dark and I appeared to be constrained and…
Piss off Cancer, it’s been 14 years since my “big surgery”
D Day I was 54 years and 9 months old at diagnosis on 26th July 2010. For the first few months, I had no idea what the outcome would be. What I did know at the time, given the final staging and grading, in addition to the other damage that was accumulated via various tests, checks, and scans; is that my body had been slowly dying. Without intervention I may not be here now to tell you this tale and who knows what would be listed on my death certificate. It’s amazing to think something that would eventually kill me without intervention,…
Pancreatic cysts – something or nothing?
What are cysts?Cysts are sacs or capsules that form in the skin or inside the body. They may contain fluid or semisolid material. Although cysts can appear anywhere in the body, most frequently they live in the skin, ovaries, breasts or kidneys. Most cysts are not cancerous.What are pancreatic cysts?Pancreatic cystic lesions are being found more frequently on cross-sectional imaging studies (e.g. conventional imaging such as CT/MRI/Ultrasound). Although many of these cysts are discovered incidentally in asymptomatic patients, many have a malignant potential. Coupled with the lack of a single diagnostic test for accurate risk stratification and the risks of…
48 hours in November 2010 – Awareness and Hope from Ronny Allan
D Day D for Diagnosis. I was 54 years and 9 months old at diagnosis on 26th July 2010. For the first few months, I had no idea what the outcome would be. What I did know at the time, given the final staging and grading, in addition to the other damage that was accumulated via various tests, checks, and scans; is that my body had been slowly dying. Without intervention I may not be here now to tell you this tale and who knows what would be listed on my death certificate. It’s amazing to think something that would…
Don’t miss these 5 posts on RonnyAllan.NET
Just click on the pictues and read (and hopefully share!) https://ronnyallan.net/2024/07/18/neuroendocrine-cancer-is-not-a-type-of-another-cancer-period/ https://ronnyallan.net/2022/11/23/the-ecstasy-of-neuroendocrine-cancer-survivor-wilko-johnson/ https://ronnyallan.net/2018/03/16/namaste-irrfan-khan/ https://ronnyallan.net/2024/08/27/the-5-es/ https://ronnyallan.net/2017/06/08/living-with-neuroendocrine-cancer-8-tips-for-conquering-fear/ 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…
Neuroendocrine Cancer – no sweat!
I see so many questions and comments in my private group about sweating, in particular, 'night sweats' and it's prompted me to dig deeper, thus this article. When I look at a dozen decent sources of medical info, they all seem to bring up several common causes appearing on the different lists on each website I look at. I do see (so-called) carcinoid syndrome come up infrequently and perhaps the authors are lumping that in with hot flashes/flushing etc. But on authoritative NET sites (i.e. written by the NET scientific community), I do not see 'sweating' come up in the…
A Review of October 2024 on RonnyAllan.NET
Here is the monthly summary of October 2024 on RonnyAllan.NET Awareness helps someone understand or even work towards a diagnosis, discovery of the best doctors and treatments. The selection of top posts this month really shows the breadth of subjects applicable to Neuroendocrine Cancer that need to be considered. Click on the post graphic to read it. I wish I could do more but there's just little old me! And Chris too of course for those following my exploits on Facebook Page Ronny Allan. Fortunatey I have a great 2IC and admin team in my private group, so that runs as…
Piss off cancer – I’m 69.5!
I started doing the “Piss off cancer” series when I got to 65, mainly because I initially thought I wouldn’t make that age.I was 54 years and 9 months old at diagnosis on 26th July 2010. For the first few months, I had no idea what the outcome would be. What I did know at the time, given the final staging, grading, and other damage that was accumulated via various tests, checks, and scans; is that my body had been slowly dying.Without intervention I may not be here now to tell you this tale and who knows what would be…
Things to do today
When you live with any illness, getting through the day can be tough. Trying to get a diagnosis, dealing with a diagnosis, undergoing treatment and then learning to recover and adapt. I've been living with my condition since 2010 and I'm a big advocate of keeping busy, keeping active and keeping my mind occupied. Despite this, there are times with a chronic disease, an invisible disease, an incurable and long-term disease including cancer, occasionally just doing nothing can be very productive in the long term! Of course, sometimes you have little choice if you're ill from your condition or something…
I wish I had another cancer
AN OPINION POST I’ve seen the term ‘Cancer Olympics’ many times on my social media travels, it’s been used in several contexts. For example, Dr Robin McGee uses it to describe her ordeal with late stage bowel cancer and judging by the cover of her book, the analogy is the hurdles she had to jump to get the right treatment (many of you will relate to that). Another example I see is the race to claim a cancer is somehow ‘worse’ than other cancers, i.e. ‘my cancer is far worse than yours’. Ironically, although some cancers are almost certainly worse…
Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy (TAT) – the wave of the future in nuclear oncology/PRRT?
What is Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy? Regular PRRT which is authorised for use now, i.e. Lutathera/Lu177 is a beta therapy. Targeted Alpha Therapy is based on the coupling of alpha particle emitting radioisotopes to tumour selective carrier molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies or peptides. These molecules have the ability to selectively target tumour cells even if they are spread throughout the body. They recognize the targeted cancer cells through antigens that are expressed on the cell surface and can bind selectively to these cells, similar a key fitting into a lock. In targeted alpha therapy these carrier molecules serve as vehicles…
Rosacea – the NET Effect
Around 2001, I started noticing some issues on my nose, particularly around the creases, an issue I still experience today. It normally starts with a stinging feeling, an indication I'm about to experience some sort of inflammation. What eventually happens is something which looks like a 'whitehead' which I now know to be a 'pustule'. Sometimes there are multiples, and most are not normally bigger than 2mm, mostly smaller. These pustules nearly always disappear within a short period of time, normally after washing/showering, but they tend to leave reddish marks which eventually fade. Very infrequently, these pustules would appear on…