China News Service, Chongqing, November 10 (Liang Qinqing) November 10 is "World Neuroendocrine Tumor Day". In order to improve the public's scientific understanding of neuroendocrine tumors and promote early screening, early diagnosis and standardized diagnosis and treatment, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chongqing University launched a science popularization and public welfare clinic on the 10th with the theme of "early identification, early screening, and scientific management of neuroendocrine tumors".
There are many "neuroendocrine cells" distributed throughout the human body. They are like the body's little housekeepers, responsible for secreting some substances to help regulate gastrointestinal motility, heart rate and blood sugar. If these cells get out of control and slowly grow into a mass, it is a "neuroendocrine tumor."
The picture shows the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chongqing University, with the theme of "early identification, early screening, and scientific management of neuroendocrine tumors", carrying out science popularization and public welfare clinic activities for passing citizens. Photo courtesy of Chongqing University Cancer Hospital
Liao Zhongli, deputy director of the Department of Gastroenterology at Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, said that although neuroendocrine tumors have the word "nerve" in their name, they are not tumors of the nervous system; they can occur in multiple organs throughout the body, and are more common in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and lungs.
Liao Zhongli said that a year ago, 62-year-old Ms. Li went to the hospital for treatment due to "abdominal pain and blood in the stool". She went to many hospitals but the cause was still not clear. Half a year ago, Ms. Li came to Chongqing University Affiliated Cancer Hospital. After systematic examination, she was finally diagnosed with "rectal neuroendocrine tumor", which had metastasized to the liver, pancreas and other places.
"This is a microcosm of the dilemma of clinical diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors - they are highly heterogeneous, have hidden symptoms, and are easily misdiagnosed. Patients often need to visit multiple departments and seek treatment in multiple places to get a clear diagnosis," Liao Zhongli said.
Faced with a severe condition, the gastroenterology team formulated a step-by-step, multi-dimensional comprehensive treatment plan for her. Under the joint escort of multidisciplinary experts, Ms. Li's condition was effectively controlled and her quality of life was significantly improved.
Liao Zhongli said that because some neuroendocrine tumor cells can secrete hormones, patients may suffer from recurrent diarrhea, stomach pain, skin flushing, hypoglycemia, recurrent gastric ulcers, etc. These symptoms are often mistaken for ordinary gastrointestinal diseases, skin diseases or other chronic diseases.
Under what circumstances should you go to a specialist hospital for treatment as soon as possible? "Long-term recurrent unexplained diarrhea, paroxysmal skin flushing, and refractory ulcers; gastroscopy/enteroscopy accidentally discovered submucosal bulges and polypoid lesions; family history of neuroendocrine tumors and multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1); physical examination revealed elevated chromogranin A and unknown pancreatic/intestinal masses." Liao Zhongli emphasized that if symptoms recur for unknown reasons, you should go to a specialist hospital as soon as possible to avoid missing the best opportunity for diagnosis and treatment.
Is the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors equivalent to declaring a "terminal illness"? Not so. Neuroendocrine tumors are not a single disease, but a large group of tumors with widely different biological behaviors. As long as it is discovered and diagnosed early, many patients can achieve long-term survival with standard treatment.
Currently, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chongqing University has gathered experts from multiple disciplines including gastroenterology, medical oncology, pathology, imaging, nuclear medicine, hepatobiliary surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, interventional surgery, and endocrinology to establish a multidisciplinary quality assurance system. The team uses a variety of examination methods to accurately locate the tumor, clarify the degree of differentiation, and then comprehensively evaluate the tumor location and functional status to formulate individualized treatment plans for patients.
