My tumor was about the size of a twinkie with arms constricting my small bowel in 3 places. It went like this:
Mass originally found by GI doc who referred me to general surgeon, but both thought it would be inoperable. That surgeon attempted an unsuccessful surgical biopsy of the mass. Took 3 large tissue samples and no cancer found. NETs can be very illusive! He then referred me to a Surgical Oncologist who presented my case to Tumor Board of a different 1200 bed hospital and nobody there would attempt it. This surgeon then referred me to the Rare Cancer Center where I finally had surgery. I was about 300lbs a year before surgery. Weighed 168 when I did have the surgery, almost dead. Surgical team took a conservative approach and removed most of the mass and several hot lymph node. I had ascites as well, so a lot of fluid also drained. Currently living good, feeling good, but I do still have the cancer and always will I suspect.