There are many diseases that can attack a human’s immune system, where one type of disease that can be experienced by some people is tumor disease. This disease arises due to various factors. Starting from heredity, transmission of viruses or bacteria, even due to an unfavorable or unhealthy lifestyle. For this reason, some people are advised to know various types of diseases, especially tumors and what are the symptoms.
Know What is a Neuroendocrine Tumor (TEN)?
Neuroendocrine tumors or NETs themselves in Indonesia are known as carcinoid. Where this tumor is an abnormal growth that starts from a Neuroendocrine cell which eventually begins to spread throughout various parts of the body. Be it intestines, stomach, to the lungs. For the cause of neuroendocrine tumors themselves are quite rare. Even some studies have not found the answer to the main cause of this disease.
Some things that will be related to this tumor such as the age factor. Because, many patients who have this tumor at the age of 60 years and over. In addition, patients suffering from endocrine neoplasia may also have a high risk of developing neuroendocrine tumors.
What are the Symptoms of a Neuroendocrine Tumor?
Neuroendocrine tumors are tumors that attack various organs in the body. So that later the symptoms that will arise will also certainly be different. Where there are some symptoms that can be caused by Neuroendocrine tumors are:
• The face and neck are starting to turn red without sweating
• Having diarrhea
• Shortness of breath, fast heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Easily feel weak, tired and lethargic
• Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating
• Unexplained weight gain
• Noisy breath and cough
• Swelling of the feet and ankles
• Skin lesions, discolored patches of skin, thin skin
• Frequent urination, increased thirst, early hunger (high blood glucose)
• Shaking, dizziness, sweating, fainting (low blood glucose)
What is the Diagnosis of Neuroendocrine Tumor Disease?
All patients with neuroendocrine tumors will indeed require a special diagnosis. This will depend on the location of the tumor that will grow, the level of hormone production that can attack various other organs. Where for a diagnosis that can even be made for this tumor is:
• Perform laboratory tests, namely cytopathology
• Perform a biopsy, or endoscopic ultrasound
• ERCP
• CT scan, CT angiography
• MRI
• Laparoscopy
• Nuclear medicine imaging (NMI)
• Perform genetic testing
How is the process of treating neuroendocrine tumors
For the treatment that will be carried out for patients who experience this neuroendocrine tumor disease will be different. Where will be adjusted to the symptoms that can be experienced by someone who feels symptoms of this tumor arise. Where some of the treatment that will be provided are:
• Surgery in which a doctor will remove the entire tumor
• Somatostatin analogues or administration of drugs used to relieve symptoms of carcinoid syndrome, help to block the body from producing excessive hormones, and help to control the growth of neuroendocrine tumors
• Chemotherapy which will later be used to shrink the tumor, so that it will reduce the symptoms that will arise
• Targeted Therapy or administration of drugs that aim to slow the growth of cancer cells.
• Interferon alpha or the provision of proteins that exist naturally in the body. Later, when a cancer patient takes this drug, it is able to help the immune system and destroy cancer cells that may grow.
