Does Neuroendocrine Cancer Spread & How To Stop It From Spreading?

Neuroendocrine cancers/tumors arise from the neuroendocrine cells in the body. These cells possess the special qualities of both-the endocrine cells as well as nerve cells.⁽¹⁾

Neuroendocrine tumor, which is of the cancerous or malignant form, can spread from its site of origin to other various parts of the body. The benign types of neuroendocrine tumor grow, but do not spread.

There are many treatment options available out there for preventing neuroendocrine cancer/tumor from spreading to other parts of the body. These options may include –

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Medication etc.

The type of treatment that you will receive will depend upon various factors, including –

• The type of tumor
• The number of tumors
• The size of the tumor
• The location of the tumor
• Whether it is malignant, benign or indolent
• Whether it has spread to other parts of the body

• Surgery is usually the choice of treatment for neuroendocrine tumor
• It can help in completely removing some tumors, especially those that have not spread widely and are not cancerous
• Surgery may help in removing the tumor, or it may help in removing a part or all organs that have been affected by the cancer
• Other forms of surgery, like radiofrequency ablation, can be used for those people who cannot go for a standard surgical procedure. This method with its high energy radio waves will kill the cancer cells in an area.
• For these kinds of surgeries, the doctor may need the help of MRI scans or ultrasound to guide the probe to reach the desired spot.⁽¹⁾

• This treatment method is commonly used for treating carcinoids.
• In this method, manual somatostatin is used, which helps in prohibiting the tumor from making hormones that cause carcinoid related symptoms.
• This method may also be helpful in shrinking the tumor⁽¹⁾

• In this method, x-rays are used to target and destroy cancer cells.
• This method is usually used when the tumor has spread, or it is located at such place that the doctors won’t be able to reach it otherwise.
• However, radiation therapy can cause certain side effects as it also damages the healthy cells along with the cancerous cells.⁽¹⁾

• In this method, medicines are used to kill cancer cells or prevent them from spreading to other places.
• This method, however, has some side effects, as along with the cancer cells the healthy cells are damaged as well.⁽¹⁾

• In this method, the blood supply that helps the tumor thrive is blocked.
• This treatment can be useful in case cancer has spread to the liver and is unremovable⁽¹⁾

• In this method, special medicines that attack special genes or proteins on tumor cells are used to kill cancer.
• This treatment is beneficial since it does not harm the healthy cells, unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapy.⁽¹⁾

Different types of neuroendocrine cancers/tumors may present with different symptoms and signs, like-

• Diplopia or double vision
• Blurred vision
• Loose motions
• Giddiness and dizziness
• Tachycardia
• Headaches
• Rash
• Skin flushing
• Trembling
• Stomach pain
• Profuse sweating
• Weakness
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss⁽¹⁾

• Loose motion
• Skin flushing often in face and neck
• Persistent coughing
• Chest pain
• Pain in stomach
• Tiredness or weakness
• Breathing trouble
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss⁽¹⁾

• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained bleeding
• Loose motions
• Fever
• Coughing
• Headaches
• Tachycardia
• Nausea or a queasy feeling
• Vomiting
• Profuse sweating
• Pain
• Skin rash
• Skin flushing
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Jaundice ⁽¹⁾

Neuroendocrine cancer may spread and there are different methods of treatment to prevent this cancer from spreading to other body parts.

References:

Also Read:

• What is Neuroendocrine Tumor & How is it Treated?|Causes, Symptoms, Prognosis of Neuroendocrine Tumor
• Life Expectancy Of Someone With Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor
• What Causes Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor & Is It Curable?
• What Is A Low-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumor & Are Neuroendocrine Tumors Always Cancerous?
• Where Do Neuroendocrine Tumors Originate & Where Are Neuroendocrine Cells Found?