Abstract
The neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoid tumor, islet cell carcinoma, and other neuroendocrine neoplasms) present a unique challenge to the practice of medical oncology. The clinical heterogeneity of these patients and the variable natural history of these tumors demand a careful, individualized approach to each patient. One must consider the histology and location of the patient’s primary and metastatic tumors, the symptoms due to the tumor bulk itself, the symptoms due to the overproduction of various hormones and peptides, and the multidisciplinary options available for curative and palliative intent therapy. Many patients initially present with distant, even bulky, metastatic disease that is asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. For these patients, it may be appropriate to consider no antitumor therapy at all as an initial strategy. The possibility of prolonged stable disease with preserved quality of life is real. This approach can spare some patients the potential toxicity of palliative-intent therapy for years.
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Hobday, T.J., Rubin, J. (2004). Medical Treatment of Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors. In: Lloyd, R.V. (eds) Endocrine Pathology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-403-0_22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-403-0_22
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-423-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-403-0
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