Neuroendocrine tumors refer to neoplasms, which often comes from the cells of nervous systems and hormonal or endocrine systems. Most of these tumors remain in benign form, while others are of malignant ones. These types of tumors often take place within the intestine, because of which doctors refer them carcinoid tumors. However, in some cases, they even remain present in the lungs, pancreas and other parts of the body.
What Are the Ways To Prevent Neuroendocrine Tumors?
Until now, none of the medical experts were able to identify ways to prevent the problem of neuroendocrine tumors. However, a few of the doctors have found preventative measures in case of neuroendocrine tumors based on a detailed analysis of the problem’s risk factors.
Major Risk Factors To Analyze For Neuroendocrine Tumors Prevention
You have to analyze the following risk factors with the aim to prevent or reduce your chances related to neuroendocrine tumors.
- Family history associated with MEN1 syndrome, where MEN is the abbreviated form of type 1 based multiple endocrine neoplasias
- Neurofibromatosis
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
- Specific conditions, which affect the ability of one’s stomach to produce stomach acid, which includes pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, and other major syndromes.
- Smoking and alcoholic drinking
- Cancer Screening Examinations
- Along with the analysis of risk factors, doctors have recommended cancer screening examinations to identify neuroendocrine cancer at the initial stage.(1) (2)
Symptoms Of Neuroendocrine Tumors
Most of the people with neuroendocrine tumors often do not experience any symptom before they undergo the diagnose and remain free from symptoms for many years. This is because; patients experience symptoms whenever any neuroendocrine tumor mass presses on hormones secreted by the affected tumor or at the time of pressing any organ. In some cases, symptoms become vague, especially when they take place due to the presence of neuroendocrine tumors. These include-
- Gastrointestinal bleeding, where your doctor may identify your anemic problem and the underlying cause is bleeding within your abdominal region caused due to the problem of neuroendocrine tumor.
- Mild to severe form of pain in the abdominal region
- Certain changes in the bladder or bowel habits, where a patient experience too many or too few bowel movements or the problem of diarrhea
- Bloating and gastric problems
- Appendicitis, where your doctor identifies the presence of a neuroendocrine tumor within the appendix if you require the removal of your appendix.
Additional Symptoms When Neuroendocrine Tumors Secrete Hormones
A patient suffering from neuroendocrine tumors may experience a few of the additional symptoms when the formed tumor cells secrete hormones, also called carcinoid syndromes.
- Skin redness or flushing problems
- Heart problems related to carcinoid tumors
- Diarrhea
- Gastritis or cramps in the abdominal area
- Wheezing
- Breathing shortness
- Itching and skin rashes(1) (2)
Also Read:
- What Is A Low-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumor & Are Neuroendocrine Tumors Always Cancerous?
- Where Do Neuroendocrine Tumors Originate & Where Are Neuroendocrine Cells Found?
- Best Exercises/Activities For Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Home Remedies For Neuroendocrine Tumors
- How Common Is Neuroendocrine Tumors Or Is It A Rare Disease?
- How Long Will It Take To Recover From Neuroendocrine Tumors & How Long Does The Symptoms Last?