
Cancers known as neuroendocrine tumours start in specialised cells known as neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells have characteristics of hormone-producing and nerve cells.
Although they are uncommon, neuroendocrine tumours can develop anywhere in the body. Most neuroendocrine tumours develop in the pancreas, rectum, small intestine, appendix, and lungs.
Neuroendocrine tumours come in a variety of forms. Some grow very swiftly, while others grow slowly. Excess hormones are produced by certain neuroendocrine tumours (functional neuroendocrine tumours). Nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumours either don't release hormones at all or don't release enough to produce symptoms.
NETs are characterised according to their origin and whether they are operational (producing hormones) or non-functioning. They can arise in different organs. The following are a few typical NET types:
The term "gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours" (GI NETs) refers to tumours that develop in the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) can be either non-functional or functioning, producing hormones such as glucagon or insulin.
Thyroid neuroendocrine tumours are rare growths in the thyroid gland, including medullary thyroid cancer, which begins in the thyroid's calcitonin-producing C-cells.
Adrenal neuroendocrine tumours occur in the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys and generate the chemicals cortisol and adrenaline.
CarcinoidTumour: One of the subtypes of neuroendocrine tumours, carcinoid tumours are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal system, particularly in the small intestine, appendix, and rectum. Some cancers produce or do not produce hormones.
Early treatment of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) is essential for enhancing patient outcomes. Early intervention and detection can prevent the tumour from spreading or becoming more malignant. NETs may develop slowly, and symptoms do not usually appear until the tumour has progressed, so early diagnosis is vital. Early treatment of NETs gives the best hope of successful surgery, possibly removing the tumour before it metastasises.
Moreover, early intervention can control hormone-related symptoms and avoid complications such as hormone overproduction, enhancing the patient's quality of life. Because NETs exhibit a wide range of behaviours, early treatment also ensures a more specific treatment modality, enhancing overall prognosis.
Initial signs and symptoms are not usually present in neuroendocrine tumours. Your tumour's location and whether it produces too many hormones will determine the symptoms you might experience.
Signs and symptoms of neuroendocrine tumours generally may include:
Excessive hormone production by neuroendocrine tumours (functional tumours) may result in:
Causes
Although the exact causes of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) remain unknown, genetic abnormalities, such as those found in von Hippel-Lindau disease and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN), can raise the risk. Environmental variables and chronic illnesses, including gastritis, hormone imbalances, and family history, may all play a role. Random genetic alterations in neuroendocrine cells are frequently the cause of NET development.
Risk Factors
Neuroendocrine tumour (NET) therapy has advanced in India by applying the latest research and technologies. Advanced treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted drugs, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) are increasingly used to treat NETs. Genetic analysis, molecular characterisation, and PET scanning are advanced diagnostic techniques that facilitate personalised treatment plans. Indian hospitals are conducting clinical studies to explore new combinations of medications and treatments.
Surgery: The tumour is surgically removed. Surgeons attempt to take out as much of the surrounding healthy tissue as possible, along with the entire tumour. Remove as much of the tumour as possible if complete removal is impossible.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy tumour cells. It may be taken orally or injected into an arm vein. If your neuroendocrine tumour recurs after surgery, chemotherapy is recommended. It can also help cancers that are too advanced to remove with surgery.
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Targeted Therapy: Targeted medication therapies concentrate on particular abnormalities in tumour cells. Targeted pharmacological treatments can potentially kill tumour cells by preventing these aberrations. Chemotherapy and targeted medication therapy are typically used in conjunction with advanced neuroendocrine tumours.
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Radiation Therapy: This treatment employs intense energy beams, such as protons and X-rays, to destroy tumour cells. It may be effective for certain neuroendocrine tumour types. It could be suggested in cases where surgery is not a possibility.
Biochemical tests quantify the quantity or activity of a specific protein or enzyme in your blood or urine. They may indicate that the NET is functioning (secreting hormones).
Imaging tests: Your doctor may order imaging tests, such as an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray, which can reveal internal malignancies. PET scans can detect cancer spread.
Endoscopy involves removing tissue and examining tumours inside your body using a scope. A particular kind of endoscopy, such as a colonoscopy or an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, may be required, depending on the tumour's location.
Endoscopic ultrasound: Your physician can perform an endoscopy and an imaging study to find a NET. For example, endoscopic ultrasonography can detect a neuroendocrine tumour in your pancreas.
Biopsy: Providers perform biopsies to collect tissue or fluid samples. The sample is then scanned using a microscope to identify cancerous cells. This examination also reveals essential information about the type of NET and its degree of aggression.
MediRehab (chain of Rehab centres - Part of MediGence) provides comprehensive rehabilitation services designed to support Neuroendocrine tumour patients in India. These services include:
Physical therapy: To help improve energy, strength, and mobility, especially after surgery or extensive treatment.
Occupational therapy can help patients regain independence if pain or fatigue affects their daily routine.









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India is suitable for treating neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) due to its skilled oncologists, advanced medical technology, and affordable healthcare. The country offers various therapeutic options, including peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), targeted drugs, chemotherapy, and surgery. Many hospitals are equipped with multidisciplinary treatment and international accreditation.
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) can be benign or malignant, depending on their rate of growth and metastasis. Because benign NETs grow very slowly, they are noncancerous and never metastasise to other body regions. They often only require surgical removal. However, malignant NETs grow more aggressively, are carcinogenic, and potentially metastasise to other organs, requiring more aggressive treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, or other therapies.
Yes, neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), particularly malignant ones, can migrate to other areas of the body. This process is called metastasis. The liver, lungs, bones, and lymph nodes are familiar places for spreading NETs. The tumour's size, grade, and whether it is malignant or benign all affect its tendency to spread.
Somatostatin therapy uses synthetic forms of somatostatin, a hormone that usually regulates the secretion of several other hormones, to treat neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Somatostatin analogues suppress the tumours' secretion of excessive hormones, reducing symptoms like flushing, diarrhoea, and other side effects. By binding to specific receptors on NET cells, these treatments also reduce tumour activity and, in some cases, reduce the size of the tumours, slowing their development.
Surgery can often excise neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), mainly when they are localised and have not spread to other areas. Benign and malignant NETs are usually treated with surgery in their early forms. Surgery may sometimes be needed to excise metastases or alleviate symptoms caused by tumour growth. However, several factors, such as the size, location, and whether the tumour has metastasised to other parts of the body, influence whether or not surgery is possible.
The prognosis of a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) depends on tumour grade (its rate of growth), stage (whether it has spread), site, and hormone production. The prognosis is typically worse for high-grade tumours and those that have spread. Factors related to the patient, including overall health, age, and response to treatment, also impact the prognosis.
Surgical removal of tumours, if possible, chemotherapy or targeted therapy for more severe cases, and medications such as somatostatin analogues to treat hormone-related symptoms are all involved with treating the symptoms of a neuroendocrine tumour (NET). To improve overall comfort, treatment of symptoms might also include the administration of painkillers, antidiarrheals, and changes in diet. Symptom treatment and quality of life can be improved with an individualised treatment plan developed with input from a medical team.