A neuroendocrine tumor occurs in our body’s neuroendocrine system. These are special cells and have traits or characters of hormone-producing endocrine cells as well as nerve cells. These special cells are found throughout the body and control many important functions in the body.
Some neuroendocrine tumors are considered to be malignant tumors while others are thought to be benign.(1) Some forms of neuroendocrine tumors may be indolent, that is slow-growing.
What Is Grade 1 Neuroendocrine Tumour?
There are different types of neuroendocrine tumors. The grading system for each type is also separate and may be different.
Let us see grade 1 neuroendocrine tumor for all types of neuroendocrine tumors-
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor- the stages for this type of tumor are the same as those for pancreatic cancer. It is graded upon where the tumor is located.(1)
Stage 1 for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor-
- In this stage, the tumor is only in the pancreas
- It has not spread to the lymph nodes or any other organs(1)
Stage 1 for Lung carcinoid tumors-
- In this stage, the cancer is present only in the lungs
- It has not spread to lymph nodes or any other organs(1)
Stage 1 for Markel cell cancer-
- In this stage, the main tumor is equal to or less than 2cm across. This should be in the broadest place of the tumor.
- It has not spread to the lymph nodes or any other organs(1)
- Apart from stages 0 to 4, neuroendocrine tumors staging can also be seen as a regional spread and distant spread. This grading system is used for such types of neuroendocrine tumors as carcinoid tumors and pheochromocytoma.(1)
Let us see the stages of neuroendocrine tumor in details
When a neuroendocrine tumor is staged from stage 0 to 4, the stages comprise of the following-
Stage 0-
It indicates that the cancer is only in the topmost layers of the affected cells
Stage 1-
- The cancer is in the place it started
- It has not spread to lymph nodes or any other areas in the body
Stage 2-
- It is different for different types of neuroendocrine tumors
- On average, it means that cancer has spread to other parts of the body but not to the lymph nodes and is present in one side of the body
Stage 3-
It means that it may have spread to other organs as well as the lymph nodes
Stage 4-
Cancer has spread far and wide and to distant parts of the body
Is Grade 1 Neuroendocrine Tumour Malignant?
The neuroendocrine tumor may or may not be malignant. Some types of this tumor are cancerous while others are benign. Some types are indolent or slow-growing.
The symptoms of neuroendocrine tumors depend upon their type, the place where they are located, the extent of the spread, whether they are benign or malignant and their size or number. The general symptoms include-
- Extreme tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Persistent pain in a particular area
- An occurrence of a lump or a mass someplace in the body
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in bowel habits
- Changes in bladder habits
- Jaundice
- Bleeding or discharge which is unusual
- Diarrhea
- Gastritis
- Hyperglycaemia-excess of blood sugar levels
- Hypoglycemia– reduction in blood sugar levels
- Skin flushes
- Skin rashes
- Anxiety
- Confusion and hallucination
- Depression and stress(1)
Conclusion
There are different types of neuroendocrine tumors. Staging for each type is also separate and different. Generally, from the staging system, we can draw the conclusion that Grade 1 neuroendocrine tumor is usually that stage of the tumor in which the cancer is present at the site of its origin. It has not spread to the lymph nodes or any other organs in the body. The neuroendocrine tumor may or may not be malignant.
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