It affects endocrine tissues which have the function of secreting hormones in the body. As you know, hormones are chemical substances carried in the blood stream to perform specific task. Neuroendocrine system is a part of it.
The tumor can be benign/non-cancerous or malignant/cancerous. In previous situation, it can be removed easily without causing much side-effects but the later one is complicated and difficult to treat with a low survival rate, especially when it goes unnoticed in its earlier period and spreads to other organs.
The tumor can itself can make hormone and cause serious hormonal disturbances in the affected individuals.
Types
Several types are:
Several tests are carried out to detect whether the tumor is present or not and also its volume and status. The type of treatment is also determined after the presence of a lump is properly diagnosed. In most cases biopsy suffices but where it does not work, other methods are used which are:
Clinical examination: The doctor takes blood, urine and stool sample of the patients to look for any abnormalities in hormones, their functioning, blood glucose level and other important substances that might affect the person.
Neurological tests that include checking reflexes, sensory motor skills, mental condition, coordination and balance.
Imaging scan such as:
Types of biopsy
As mentioned earlier, it is commonly used diagnosing method and is carried out in two different ways:
Signs and symptoms
People suffering can show no symptoms sometimes. In a few cases these are non-specific and caused by other illnesses as well. Most common signs are:
Various aspects are under continuous research such as:
The tumor can be benign/non-cancerous or malignant/cancerous. In previous situation, it can be removed easily without causing much side-effects but the later one is complicated and difficult to treat with a low survival rate, especially when it goes unnoticed in its earlier period and spreads to other organs.
The tumor can itself can make hormone and cause serious hormonal disturbances in the affected individuals.
Types
Several types are:
- Adrenal gland tumor
- Carcinoid tumors(these include gastrointestinal and lung tumors)
- Islet cell tumor
- Neuroendocrine tumor
- Parathyroid tumor
- Thyroid cancer
- Pituitary gland tumor
Several tests are carried out to detect whether the tumor is present or not and also its volume and status. The type of treatment is also determined after the presence of a lump is properly diagnosed. In most cases biopsy suffices but where it does not work, other methods are used which are:
Clinical examination: The doctor takes blood, urine and stool sample of the patients to look for any abnormalities in hormones, their functioning, blood glucose level and other important substances that might affect the person.
Neurological tests that include checking reflexes, sensory motor skills, mental condition, coordination and balance.
Imaging scan such as:
- Endoscopy
- Bone scan
- CT/CAT scan (computed tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Positron emission topography (PET scan)
- X-ray
- OctreoScan (radionuclide scanning)
Types of biopsy
As mentioned earlier, it is commonly used diagnosing method and is carried out in two different ways:
- Fine needle aspiration: This is usually done in clinic by injecting a local anesthetic agent into the skin area near the tumor to produce numbness, prior to the actual procedure. A thin needle is then inserted into the lump to remove some fluids and cells. With two or three repeated procedures, the samples of tumor are taken. A positive report suggests the presence of cancerous cells while non-cancerous cells give a negative result. Unclear reports show that the status, volume of the tumor is not determined yet.
- Surgical method: In case, the first method goes futile, the pathologist uses this one whereby the tumor is removed by surgery. It is given as an outpatient diagnostic operation and involves a general anesthesia to numb the area to be operated on.
Signs and symptoms
People suffering can show no symptoms sometimes. In a few cases these are non-specific and caused by other illnesses as well. Most common signs are:
- Lump in any body part that is affected
- Severe continuous pain where tumor develops
- Irritability
- Fatigue, weakness
- Anxiety, panic attacks and behavioral disturbances
- Depression
- Nervousness
- Confusion
- Fever
- Frequent headaches
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Changes in urine or bowel habits
- Weight loss or gain without any apparent reason
- Intestinal bleeding
- Flushing face with reddishness and warmth in the area
- Jaundice that makes the skin and the eye cornea yellow
Various aspects are under continuous research such as:
- Combination surgery and chemotherapy with the drugs oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) and irinotecan (Camptosar) given together with surgical operation.
- Targeted therapy to treat several types of endocrine tumors such as thyroid cancer, islet cell as well as neuroendocrine tumors. Various drugs such as axitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib and motesanib diphosphate are tested on for the purpose
- Genetic and molecular testing. Molecular biology is also being researched on along with this option.
