Neuroendocrine tumors natural history, complications and prognosis

Neuroendocrine tumors Microchapters
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
History and Symptoms
Laboratory Findings
CT scan
PET scan
Medical Therapy
Surgery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Complications

• Diabetes
• Hormone crises (if the tumor releases certain types of hormones)
• Severe low blood sugar (from insulinomas)
• Severe ulcers in the stomach and small intestine (from gastrinomas)
• Spread of the tumor to the liver

Prognosis

You may be cured if the tumors are surgically removed before they have spread to other organs. If tumors are cancerous, chemotherapy may be used, but it usually cannot cure patients.

Life-threatening problems (such as very low blood sugar) can occur due to excess hormone production, or if the cancer spreads throughout the body.