Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness

  • Colonoscopy Comedy

    Last year I wrote a series of blogs on the 'coping' side of cancer, one of which was entitled Laughter is the best medicine. This was my way of saying no matter how tough life is, you need to stay positive and maintain your sense of humour. When I think back to some of the treatments I've had, I sometimes have a little laugh to myself even although I wasn't laughing at the time.  My favourite 'treatment…

  • Neuroendocrine Tumours - Stages and Grades

    One of the most discussed and sometimes confusing subjects on forums is the staging and grading of Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs). Mixing them up is a common error and so it's important to understand the difference despite the apparent complexity.

    In the most basic of terms, stage is the spread of the cancer and grade is the aggressiveness of the cancer. They are totally different things and an understanding…

  • Lanretotide vs Octreotide

    somatuline-depot-injection-vs-sandostatin

    LONG ACTING LANREOTIDE (LEFT) – LONG ACTING OCTREOTIDE (RIGHT)

    Somatostatin Analogues are the ‘workhorse’ treatments for those living with NETs, particularly where syndromes are involved. Although it can sometimes seem like they are only associated with serotonin releasing tumours (i.e. what might be described as Carcinoid), these types of drugs can be used to help with other NET types including Pancreatic…

  • PRRT and the Cancer Drugs Fund - is the 'magic' wearing off?



    I was extremely disappointed to learn of the decision to remove PRRT (Lutetium or Yttrium) from the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) as reported by the NET Patient Foundation. You can read the detail of the decision here: CDF Statement.  PRRT has regularly been described by NET specialists and patients as the "magic bullet" due to its potential to shrink and potentially kill tumours.

    This is the second Neuroendocrine Cancer…

  • Please flush after use!

    In the past 12 months, I've read so many stories about the quite natural act of using a toilet (some more repeatable than others), I think if there was a Bachelor of Science degree in Toiletry, I would pass with First Class Honours.

    I jest clearly but it's strange that such a routine activity for most can actually become quite scientific in the world of my own type of Cancer - Neuroendocrine Tumours.  I suspect…