Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NEN) – genetic related syndromes

Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NEN) – genetic related syndromes

Awareness, Patient Advocacy
Cancer is a genetic disorder. It happens when genes that manage cell activity mutate and create abnormal cells that divide and multiply, eventually disrupting how your body works.  Medical researchers estimate 5% to 12% of all cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations that you can’t control. More frequently, cancer happens as an acquired genetic mutation. Acquired genetic mutations happen over the course of your life. This is a very general description of the close relationships between genetics and cancer but I wanted to focus below on hereditary syndromes and genetic disorders related to Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Definitions - the differences between Hereditary vs Familial vs Genetic Disorders I wanted to start with these definitions because people may unintentionally use these three terms interchangeably which is sometimes not the correct use of…
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A spotlight on Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN)

A spotlight on Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN)

Awareness, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
This is an overview, if you require detail, try my more comprehensive post by clicking here or on the picture[caption id="attachment_38157" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Click on the picture to read more[/caption]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 for tumour and these can be non-cancerous (benign) or…
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