Neuroendocrine Cancer – a difficult jigsaw
A few years ago, I received a request from a reader asking if I could write an article listing all the symptoms experienced by a Neuroendocrine Cancer patient and how to sort out what is and what isn't associated with NETs.Although I chuckled and raised an eyebrow at the request, inside I was genuinely humbled that someone thought I was capable of achieving this herculean task. I actually gave it quite a bit of thought to the point of compiling a matrix of types of NET, main symptoms, cross-referenced with the symptoms of the most common reported comorbidities/secondary illnesses. After…
Neuroendocrine Cancer: Catch them early, not late!
Diagnosing Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs). It's no secret that Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) can be difficult to diagnose, particularly well differentiated slow growing types (NETs) which can sometimes be difficult to see. Plus, many patients present with relatively routine day to day symptoms suggesting a myriad of day-to-day illnesses seen daily in every GP/PCP practice. But conversely, many are found incidentally while checking for something else, or in reaction to a visit to the ER/A&E or as a referral by primary care physicians for further checks at secondary facilities. A few examples: 1. Most appendiceal NETs are found when patients present with…