What are neuroendocrine tumours?
The neuroendocrine system is a network of glands and nerve cells that make hormones and release them into the bloodstream. These hormones help control normal body functions, for example digesting food.
Neuroendocrine cells are found throughout the body, but mainly in the gastro-intestinal tract (including large bowel and small bowel), pancreas and lungs.
Neuroendocrine tumours (also referred to as NET) are an uncommon type of tumour that forms in these cells. The type is generally defined by where the abnormal cells come from and can range from low grade (slow growing) to high grade (fast growing). Neuroendocrine tumours that produce extra amounts of hormones can cause certain symptoms and are referred to as functional tumours. However, not all neuroendocrine tumour produce extra hormones (non-functional).
There are several types of neuroendocrine tumours including:
- gastro-intestinal which start in the large and small bowel
- pancreatic which account for about 7% of neuroendocrine tumours
- lung
- merkel cell carcinoma which involves the Merkel cells in the top layer of the skin
- neuroblastoma which usually starts in the adrenal glands and affects immature or developing nerve cells in children.
It is estimated that more than 5,500 people were diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2023. The average age at diagnosis is 65 years old.
Neuroendocrine tumours signs and symptoms
Most neuroendocrine tumours develop slowly over several years but they can also be aggressive and grow quickly, spreading to other parts of the body and causing problems.
In the early stages neuroendocrine tumours may not cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms, it will depend on where in the body the tumour is and if the tumour cells are producing hormones. You may experience general symptoms such as fatigue and loss of appetite.
Gastro-intestinal neuroendocrine tumours
Symptoms may include:
abdominal (tummy) pain and bloating
changes in bowel or bladder habits, including diarrhoea
bowel obstruction or bleeding from the anus
facial flushing and asthma-like wheezing.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
Symptoms may include:
- low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) causing shaking, sweating, confusion, dizziness and rapid heartbeat
- high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) which may cause increased urination, excessive thirst and blurred vision
- indigestion (heartburn) and stomach ulcers
- rash in the groin area
- unexplained weight loss
- nausea or vomiting
- changes in bowel habits, including diarrhoea or pale, foul-smelling stools that are hard to flush away.
Lung
Symptoms may include:
- repeated pneumonia or chest infections
- coughing up blood
- shortness of breath; wheezing
- chest pain.
Merkel cell carcinoma
This usually occurs as a painless hard nodule (tumour) in the skin that grows rapidly and is often red, purple or blue, or can be flesh-coloured. Some patients feel the nodule is under (rather than in) the skin. The most common location is skin that has been exposed heavily to the sun such as the face, head and neck.
Neuroblastoma
Symptoms may include:
- painless lump or swelling in the tummy, chest or neck
- swollen legs, arms, upper chest, neck and face
- loss of appetite or feeling full
- weight loss
- changes in bowel or bladder habits
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- headaches or dizziness
- drooping eyelid
- trouble feeling or moving arms and legs.
Causes of neuroendocrine tumours
The causes of most neuroendocrine tumours are not known. Some risk factors may include:
genetic factors – some rare inherited diseases can put people at more risk of developing neuroendocrine tumours
pre-existing conditions such as peptic ulcers or diabetes.
Diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours
Neuroendocrine tumours can be difficult to find and are sometimes diagnosed when patients are undergoing tests for a different condition.
If your doctor thinks that you may have a NET (or one of the syndromes associated with neuroendocrine tumours) they will take your medical history, perform a physical examination and carry out certain tests. If the results suggest that you may have a NET, your doctor will refer you to a specialist who will carry out further tests such as:
Blood tests
Blood test will include a full blood count to measure your white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets and chromogranin A (a hormone marker).
Urine tests
Urine tests will be taken to measure serotonin production which can be produced by NETs.
Endoscopy
In this test a flexible tube with a camera on the end (endoscopy) will be inserted, under sedation, down the throat into the stomach or the anus and large bowel to view your gut.
Bronchoscopy
For a bronchoscopy, a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and lens for viewing (bronchoscope) is inserted through the mouth or nose to view your lungs.
CT scan
Special machines are used to scan and create pictures of the inside of your body. You may have an injection of dye into your veins before the scan which makes the pictures clearer. During the scan you will lie on a table which moves in and out of the scanner. A CT scan takes about 10-30 minutes.
MRI
An MRI scan produces detailed cross-sectional pictures of your body and can show the extent of any tumours. You will lie on a table which slides into a large metal tube that is open at both ends. An MRI scan takes about 30-90 minutes.
PET scan
Before having the PET scan you will be injected with a small amount of radioactive solutions. You will be asked to sit for 30-90 minutes so the solution can mover around your body. Many cancer cells will show up brighter on the scan. The scan takes around 30 minutes.
Biopsy
Biopsy involves the removal of some tissue from the affected area for closer examination under a microscopy. In a needle biopsy, you will have a local anaesthetic to numb the area and a small, thin tube in inserted into the tumour. In an open or surgical biopsy you will have general anaesthetic and a surgeon will cut through the skin to expose the affected area.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a painless ultrasound which examines your heart valves which can sometimes be affected by NETs. This procedure takes around 30-60 minutes.
Treatment for neuroendocrine tumours
Discussion with your doctor will help you decide on the best treatment for your tumour depending on the type of NET you have; the symptoms you have; where it is in your body; how far it has spread; your age, fitness and general health and your preferences.
The main treatment options for neuroendocrine tumours include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, theranostics – peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) and drug therapy (to control any symptoms caused by extra hormones). Merkel cell carcinoma may also be treated using radiotherapy. Treatments can be given alone, in combination or one after the other. This is called multi-modality treatment. If the NET is slow-growing and not causing any symptoms you may not need immediate treatment.
Palliative care
In some cases of neuroendocrine tumours, your medical team may talk to you about palliative care. Palliative care aims to improve your quality of life by alleviating symptoms of cancer.
As well as slowing the spread of neuroendocrine tumours, palliative treatment can relieve pain and help manage other symptoms. Treatment may include radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other drug therapies.
Treatment Team
Depending on your treatment, your treatment team may consist of a number of different health professionals, such as:- GP (General Practitioner) - looks after your general health and works with your specialists to coordinate treatment.
- Surgeon- surgically removes tumours and performs some biopsies.
- Medical oncologist - prescribes and coordinates the course of chemotherapy.
- Radiation oncologist - prescribes and coordinates radiation therapy treatment.
- Nuclear medicine specialist- coordinates the delivery of radioactive scans and treatment.
- Gastroenterologist - specialises in diseases of the digestive system.
- Endocrinologist- diagnoses, treats and manages disorders of the endocrine (hormonal)system.
- Lung physician - specialises in treating and managing patients who have diseases of the lung.
- Cancer nurse - assists with treatment and provides information and support throughout your treatment.
- Dietitian - recommends an eating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery.
- Physiotherapist/occupational therapist- help with physical and practical problems such as restoring movement and mobility after treatment.
- Other allied health professionals - such as social workers, pharmacists, and counsellors.
Screening for neuroendocrine tumours
There is currently no national screening program for neuroendocrine tumours available in Australia.
Preventing neuroendocrine tumours
As the causes of most neuroendocrine tumours are not understood there is no prevention advice specific to this disease.
Prognosis of neuroendocrine tumours
It is not possible for a doctor to predict the exact course of a disease, as it will depend on each person's individual circumstances. However, your doctor may give you a prognosis - the likely outcome of the disease - based on the test results, the rate of tumour growth, as well as your age, fitness and medical history.
Sources
- Understanding Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs). Cancer council Australia ©2021. Last medical review of this fact sheet: February 2021.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer data in Australia [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023 [cited 2023 Sept 04]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia
This web-based resource was made possible by the Cancer Australia Supporting people with cancer Grant initiative, funded by the Australian Government.
This information was last updated September 2023.