Neuroendocrine Tumors Treatment

In many cases, it also requires specialized neuroendocrine tumor treatments that aren’t offered everywhere.

At Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, we have the technology and expertise to treat all types of neuroendocrine cancers. That’s because we treat dozens of patients with neuroendocrine cancer each month, whereas community cancer centers may see a handful of cases each year. That, along with our unparalleled neuroendocrine oncology research program, is why doctors all over the region refer patients to us for neuroendocrine cancer treatment.

The gastrointestinal cancer experts at Winship use the latest technology and advanced testing to analyze your neuroendocrine cancer at every level. Then, your team of physicians — including your surgeon, pathologist, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist and more — will meet to discuss your individual cancer. They’ll take into account the type of neuroendocrine tumor you have as well as your cancer’s stage, grade, location and molecular makeup to develop a neuroendocrine cancer treatment plan to treat your cancer as aggressively as possible while keeping side effects to a minimum.

Once your personalized neuroendocrine cancer treatment plan is created, your team will discuss it with you, and treatment at Winship will be scheduled right away. We’ll even work with you and your local doctors in the event you decide to stay closer to home for treatment, if available. Our goal is to ensure you get your cancer treated the way it needs to be, wherever that is.

As Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winship’s researchers are pioneers in gastrointestinal oncology, including neuroendocrine cancer treatment, and lead numerous clinical trials each year. In fact, many of the drugs used to treat cancer today came out of clinical trials performed at Winship, which means our patients were some of the first to benefit. In other words, we can offer you access to the latest neuroendocrine tumor treatments you won’t find at other cancer centers. We make every effort to match as many patients as possible to ongoing research.

At Winship, we offer the most comprehensive array of neuroendocrine tumor treatment options in Georgia, and the expertise to know which treatments work best for your individual cancer. Based on your unique cancer, your treatment plan may include:

Surgery

Many patients with neuroendocrine cancer undergo surgery, either to remove the tumor and any affected lymph nodes or to reduce the tumor’s size to alleviate symptoms it may be causing, such as pain. Our surgical oncologists are experts in neuroendocrine tumors and use robotics and minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

Hormonal Therapy

This is often the first line therapy for most low or intermediate grade neuroendocrine tumors detected in advanced stages. Typically given as a monthly injection, it is well tolerated and can control the cancer for many years.

Nuclear Medicine

Winship pioneered the use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in Georgia for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and remains one of the top centers in the country for the therapy. PRRT is a form of nuclear medicine in which a physician administers a targeted drug that contains radioactive material. The drug locates the neuroendocrine tumor cells in the body and then attacks them with the radiation. This powerful treatment requires a highly skilled team like Winship’s to administer it safely.

Chemotherapy

This treatment involves the use of medication taken orally or injected to attack cancer cells throughout the body. It’s often used in neuroendocrine cancer treatment following surgery to reduce a patient’s risk of recurrence. In many cases, multiple drugs are prescribed to increase efficacy.

Targeted Therapy

This type of drug therapy is different from chemotherapy in that it targets a cancer’s specific gene mutations, selectively targeting cancer cells while producing fewer side effects. Winship is currently collaborating in multiple large-scale clinical trials that monitors patients’ response to targeted therapy and, depending on how their genomic profile changes during treatment, we can match patients whose cancer has mutated with additional therapies.

Radiation Therapy

While not used as a primary neuroendocrine cancer treatment, external beam radiation therapy may be part of your treatment plan for the purpose of symptom reduction. Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and should be performed by an experienced radiation oncologist. A special form of radiation given directly to treat liver spread of neuroendocrine tumors is Yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization. Winship’s gastrointestinal cancer team includes radiation oncologists who specialize in neuroendocrine cancer treatment.

At Winship, we strive to deliver the most effective treatment while also minimizing side effects. That’s why we have a supportive oncology team of specialized doctors and nurses on staff to help you with the physical, psychological and emotional aspects of living with cancer, including symptom management and counseling. This team — with the help of counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals — will be with you every step of the way, supporting you during your experience and beyond.