Neuroendocrine cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the neuroendocrine cells. These cells are found throughout the body in the nervous system and the endocrine system. The most common type of neuroendocrine cancer is carcinoid tumor.
Carcinoid tumors usually form in the gastrointestinal tract especially in the rectum small intestine appendix and colon. Other common sites include the bronchi (air passages) of the lungs thymus gland and pancreas. Carcinoid tumors can also occur in the ovaries testicles and in the cells that line the passageways of the liver (bile ducts).
Neuroendocrine cancer can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be vague and may mimic other conditions. The most common symptom is abdominal pain. Other symptoms can include:
• Diarrhea
• Flushing
• Wheezing
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
Carcinoid tumors can secrete hormones that can cause symptoms. For example the hormone serotonin can cause flushing diarrhea and wheezing. The hormone ACTH can cause high blood pressure fast heart rate and weight gain.
If you have any of these symptoms it is important to see your doctor so that the cause can be found and treated. Neuroendocrine cancer is usually found at an early stage through a combination of imaging tests and biopsies.
Treatment for neuroendocrine cancer depends on the size of the tumor where it is located and whether it has spread. Small tumors may be removed with surgery. Larger tumors may require a combination of surgery radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The survival rate for neuroendocrine cancer varies depending on the stage of the disease at diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate for people with neuroendocrine tumors that have not spread beyond the original site is about 80%. The 5-year survival rate for people with neuroendocrine tumors that have spread to nearby tissue or organs is about 40%. The 5-year survival rate for people with neuroendocrine tumors that have spread to distant parts of the body is about 10%.
These survival rates are based on data from the National Cancer Institute. They are estimates which means that they may not be exactly accurate for every person. However they provide a good general idea of the prognosis (outcome) for people with neuroendocrine cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer talk with your doctor about your treatment options and the prognosis for your particular situation.
What is neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: Neuroendocrine cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the neuroendocrine cells.
What are the symptoms of neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: Symptoms of neuroendocrine cancer can include weight loss fatigue abdominal pain and diarrhea.
What are the risk factors for neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: Risk factors for neuroendocrine cancer can include being male over the age of 60 and having a family history of the disease.
How is neuroendocrine cancer diagnosed?
Answer: Neuroendocrine cancer is typically diagnosed with a combination of medical imaging tests and biopsies.
What are the treatment options for neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: Treatment options for neuroendocrine cancer can include surgery radiation and chemotherapy.
What is the prognosis for neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: The prognosis for neuroendocrine cancer varies depending on the stage of the disease at diagnosis.
What is the survival rate for neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: The five-year survival rate for neuroendocrine cancer is approximately 50%.
What are the chances of surviving neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: The chances of surviving neuroendocrine cancer depend on the stage of the disease at diagnosis.
What is the life expectancy for neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: The life expectancy for neuroendocrine cancer is typically 10 years or less.
How long can you live with neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: How long you can live with neuroendocrine cancer depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis.
What are the long-term effects of neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: The long-term effects of neuroendocrine cancer can include weight loss fatigue abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Can neuroendocrine cancer come back?
Answer: Neuroendocrine cancer can come back after treatment.
The chances of the cancer coming back depend on the stage of the disease at diagnosis.
Is there a cure for neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: There is no cure for neuroendocrine cancer but treatment can help to control the disease.
What happens if neuroendocrine cancer is left untreated?
Answer: If neuroendocrine cancer is left untreated it will continue to grow and spread.
This can lead to symptoms and eventually death.
What is the most important thing to do if you have neuroendocrine cancer?
Answer: The most important thing to do if you have neuroendocrine cancer is to get treated by a doctor as soon as possible.
