Neuroendocrine Cancer

Neuroendocrine cancer is a type of cancer that develops in hormone producing cells and can occur in different parts of the body, usually in the pancreas, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract. Neuroendocrine tumours can act differently depending on where they are, the type, and the growth rate, requiring a highly individualised treatment plan.

At Verita Life we design our neuroendocrine cancer treatment plans around you and any other treatments you might be undergoing. We are committed to supporting our patients in managing symptoms, increasing energy levels, and approaching cancer treatment with confidence.

Neuroendocrine tumours vary depending on where they are found and how they behave. We support all neuroendocrine cancers including:

Many neuroendocrine tumours cause no symptoms for a long time and are found by chance. Symptoms depend on where the tumour is and whether it releases hormones, and can include:

• Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or vomiting
• Diarrhoea, or a change in bowel habits
• Weight loss for no known reason, or fatigue
• Flushing: redness or a feeling of warmth in the face and neck
• Wheezing, or a fast heartbeat
• Blood in the stool, or jaundice, depending on the tumour’s position
• Low blood sugar or other hormone effects with some pancreatic tumours

Flushing with diarrhoea, called carcinoid syndrome, usually means a tumour has spread to the liver and is releasing hormones into the bloodstream.

Neuroendocrine tumours are described by two things. The grade, based on how fast the cells are dividing (the Ki-67 index), separates slow-growing grade 1 and 2 tumours from grade 3 tumours and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. The stage describes whether the tumour is localised, has reached nearby lymph nodes, or has spread, most often to the liver.

Treatment decisions rest on the grade, the site, whether the tumour can be removed, and whether it takes up the tracer used in specialised scans, which shows whether some targeted treatments will work.

Neuroendocrine cancer treatment depends on the grade, the site, the stage, and whether the tumour releases hormones. Because these cancers are uncommon and varied, a specialist neuroendocrine team should plan it. Verita Life does not replace this care. Our therapies are designed to support it.

Surgery

Removal of the tumour and involved lymph nodes, sometimes through an endoscope for small tumours, and sometimes removing spread in the liver as well.

Somatostatin analogues

Injections of octreotide or lanreotide that slow tumour growth and control hormone symptoms, often the first medicine used.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)

A radioactive medicine that binds to receptors on the tumour cells, for tumours that show up on somatostatin receptor scans.

Targeted therapy and chemotherapy

Tablets such as everolimus or sunitinib for progressing tumours, and chemotherapy for high-grade or fast-growing disease.

Liver-directed treatments and radiation

Embolisation or ablation of tumour deposits in the liver, and external radiation for spread to bone or brain.

A structured approach to neuroendocrine cancer support

Our committed medical team will combine careful planning, ongoing evaluation, and coordinated care to produce the best cancer care plan that works for you and your unique situation. Verita Life’s approach includes:

Why choose Verita Life for neuroendocrine cancer care?

• Our specialised international cancer centres provide world-class oncology care, an experienced and professional team, and patient focused care.
• Integrative and complementary programmes to support wellbeing alongside conventional treatments.
• Programmes tailored around you, your cancer type, progression, and personal health goals.
• Supportive clinical environment where patients can receive clear guidance, education, and compassionate care at every step of the journey.

Treatment for neuroendocrine cancer care at Verita Life

Verita Life’s integrative neuroendocrine cancer treatments incorporate medically-backed traditional therapies with holistic therapies designed to complement conventional care. Our neuroendocrine cancer treatments include:

Metronomic Therapy

Metronomic chemotherapy is an approach to cancer treatment in which chemotherapy is given at a lower dose, but more frequently and with shorter or no extended breaks between treatments.

Metabolic Treatment

Metabolic approaches investigate how cancer cells obtain and use energy and nutrients. Cancer cells behave very differently to healthy cells, often heavily relying on glucose and alter their metabolic pathways in order to grow more rapidly than healthy cells. This is a broad area of research, not a single established treatment or diet and at Verita Life we use metabolic approaches within our wider, personalised treatment plans.

Local Body Hyperthermia

Local body hyperthermia is a type of integrative therapy designed to work alongside both integrative oncology care and conventional cancer treatments. Local body hyperthermia is a targeted heat-based therapy that delivers controlled heat to specific areas of the body.

IPT & Low-Dose Chemotherapy

Insulin potentiation therapy, or IPT, uses insulin alongside lower doses of chemotherapy as part of an integrative cancer treatment approach.

Herbal Cancer Therapy

Following years of research, our medical team have developed specific herbal treatment protocols to address varying types of tumours. We use proven compounds that stem from all natural herbal ingredients such as curcumin, quercetin and other anti-cancer therapies.

Biological Treatment

Biological treatments are supportive regimens that can sometimes fall under immunotherapy due to their nature, and work by harnessing the body's natural immune system or targeting precise molecular pathways involved in cancer growth.

Natural Killer Cell Therapy

Natural Killer (NK) cells are a type of lymphocyte, or white blood cell, that play a major role in the immune system by targeting and killing infected cells and cancer cells.