Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatment Options And Their Efficacy |...

Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatment Options And Their Efficacy

Сообщение 2024-08-06 07:10:05

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Surgery for NETs

Surgery is often the first line of treatment for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that are localized to specific organs. The goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor along with some of the healthy tissue surrounding it. For NETs located in the gastrointestinal tract or pancreas, the surgeon may perform an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure to remove the tumor through small incisions. For tumors in other locations, open surgery may be required. Depending on the scope of the surgery, a patient may require a shorter or longer recovery time. Completely removing the tumor through surgery offers the best chance of a cure for patients with localized, non-metastatic NETs.

Chemotherapy for NETs

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. The choice of chemotherapy drugs for Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatment depends on the tumor grade and stage. Low-grade NETs typically do not respond well to chemotherapy. For high-grade or advanced NETs that have spread, chemotherapy may help control tumor growth and extend survival. Some chemotherapy drugs used for NETs include streptozocin, 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and temozolomide. These drugs are often combined in treatment regimens. As with other cancer treatments, chemotherapy can cause side effects but it may help shrink tumors and slow disease progression when other options are not suitable.

Targeted Therapy for NETs

Targeted drugs work by interfering with specific molecular changes or tissue characteristics that allow cancer to grow and spread. Two targeted therapies have shown effectiveness for treating advanced NETs - everolimus and sunitinib. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, has been approved to treat pancreatic NETs and carcinoid tumors of the lung or gastrointestinal tract. It helps stall tumor growth and extends progression-free survival. Sunitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for pancreatic NETs. It disrupts angiogenesis or blood vessel formation needed for tumor nourishment. Both drugs can cause side effects but represent important Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatment options for advanced NETs. Research into other targeted therapies continues as scientists gain better understanding of NET biology.

Radiation Therapy for NETs

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles such as x-rays, gamma rays, and protons to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It may be used when surgery is not possible or for adjuvant therapy after incomplete tumor resection. For NETs, radiation is typically considered a local therapy to treat tumors confined to one specific area. Examples include radiation to control pain from bone metastases or eliminate residual tumor tissue post-surgery. Stereotactic body radiation therapy offers higher precision and fewer side effects compared to conventional radiation. Along with surgery, radiation provides local disease control and symptom relief for NET patients.

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