NET broadly called as, is a heterogeneous tumor. It can involve any organ in the body. The behaviour of the NET depends on several factors – mainly the grade, site size and spread to other parts of the body. The person may host for years without major issues if it is low grade. Similarly, if the tumor is high grade, it would grow fast and spreads like wildfire.
The survival rates for NET depends on many factors such as the affected body organs, whether the tumour is benign or malignant, so on and so forth. The disease is not so rare and is actually a broad term used to refer to a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. So, the survival rates depend on many factors and cannot be generalized.
If it is a low grade and confined to an organ then it can be taken out. The person would be fine after that. There would be no need for further treatment. If the tumor is high grade, it needs aggressive treatment like surgery and chemotherapy. The high-grade neuroendocrine tumours are called neuroendocrine carcinoma. The treatment would result in good remission, however, the relapse chances are very high and it could be fatal.
Article by Dr. Vijay Anand Reddy
Consultant Radiation Oncologist,
Director Apollo Cancer Institute,
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.
