NET & Endocrine Cancer Negligence & Misdiagnosis Claims Solicitors.

A tumour is an abnormal growth of cells, so therefore a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) is a rare type of tumour that occurs within the neuroendocrine cells of the body. The cells within the endocrine and neuroendocrine systems are responsible for releasing hormones into the bloodstream, so a NET can affect the body’s hormonal functions. A NET occurs when the neuroendocrine cells stop working as intended and begin to function abnormally or grow uncontrollably.

A NET can either be functioning or non-functioning, as follows:

• Functioning – The cancerous neuroendocrine cells cause higher than normal levels of the affected hormone to be produced. For example, a NET in the pancreas can cause an excess in the amount of insulin produced.
• Non-functioning – Neuroendocrine cancer cells are classed as non-functioning when they maintain their ability to release the amount of hormones that is expected of them.

A NET can occur anywhere in the body, however this type of cancer mostly affects the digestive system, pancreas, and lungs. Neuroendocrine tumours can be either benign or malignant, they can be slow growing or fast growing, and they may spread to other areas of the body.

There are a number of different types of neuroendocrine tumours, including:

• Thyroid cancers
• Adrenal cancers
• Small cell carcinoma
• Merkel cell carcinoma
• Large cell carcinoid tumours
• Carcinoid tumours of the lung
• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

If you have been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour and you believe that your condition was made worse because of medical negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

The symptoms of a NET typically vary between patients, depending on the location of the tumour. For example, a NET in the lungs will likely produce symptoms affecting the respiratory system, whilst a tumour in the stomach will produce gastrointestinal symptoms.

Some of the most common symptoms to look out for include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in stool
• Blood in the stool
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Hot flushes
• Increased heart rate

This list is not exhaustive, and if you notice any changes in your physical health it is always advisable to speak to your GP as soon as possible. Many of the above symptoms can be attributed to a wide variety of conditions, many of which are less serious than cancer, but your doctor will want to order tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

If your GP is concerned about the symptoms you are experiencing, the next step will be to refer you for further testing, usually on an urgent basis. There are a variety of different tests which you may undergo in order for doctors to determine what is causing your symptoms, including:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Ultrasound scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computerised tomography (CT)
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Octreotide scan
• Biopsy

Any delay in performing these diagnostic tests can result in a delay in diagnosis, which in turn can lead to your tumour growing and spreading. The longer a neuroendocrine tumour is left untreated, the harder it can be to eventually treat it, resulting in much more intensive treatment and possibly a worsened prognosis. It is therefore vital that all medical professionals involved in your care are vigilant in making the necessary referrals and carrying out the necessary tests. Failure to do so can constitute medical negligence and may give you grounds on which to claim compensation.

The treatment plan prescribed for a NET typically depends on the type of tumour; where it is located; how advanced the cancer is; as well as the overall health of the patient. In most cases, a combination of different treatment methods will be used, including:

• Surgery – If the tumour is diagnosed before it has spread to other parts of the body it is often likely that it can be surgically removed successfully.
• Medication – A type of medicine called somatostatin analogues may be prescribed to stop the overproduction of hormones in order to slow the progression of the cancer or reduce its severity. The medication is administered via injection once every 4 weeks.
• Embolisation – This is a procedure in which a small artery or vein is blocked in order to stop the blood flow to the tumour, thus preventing it from growing further.
• Chemotherapy – This involves medication administered either intravenously or orally in order to kill the cancerous cells.
• Radiotherapy – Small amounts of radiation are used to target and destroy the cancerous cells in order to remove the tumour, shrink it before surgery, or slow its growth.
• Radiofrequency ablation – Heat is produced by radio waves, which is then administered via needle electrodes in order to destroy the cancerous cells.
• Targeted drugs – Everolimus, sunitinib, and lutetium may be used to target and destroy the cancerous cells, and are particularly suitable for patients where the cancer has spread, or the tumour could not be fully removed surgically.

Your treatment for a neuroendocrine tumour will be provided by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, including an oncologist, specialist nurse, endocrinologist, radiologist, and surgeon (amongst others). They are required to work together to ensure that you receive the necessary treatment to provide you with the best possible prognosis. Any failure of a member of the team to uphold their duty of care to you could constitute medical negligence, and if your condition has worsened as a result, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence compensation claim.

It is not known exactly what causes a NET to form, however there are a number of factors that may increase the likelihood of a person developing this type of rare cancer, including:

• A close blood relative with a carcinoid tumour
• A parent with non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• A parent with cancer of the brain, liver, breast, bladder, or endocrine system
• An existing diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis or neurofibromatosis
• Family history of one of several genetic conditions:
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1, 2, and 3
  • Parathyroid hyperplasia
  • Medullary thyroid cancer
  • Familial isolated pituitary adenoma
  • Succinate dehydrogenase disorders
  • Adrenal gland based tumours

Being in possession of one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will go on to develop a neuroendocrine tumour. However, it does mean that should you present to your GP with any concerning symptoms, who should then be extra vigilant in their assessment of you.