Welcome to the NETs Group! Come say hi.

Hi @aliatl, I'd like to add my welcome along with @hopeful33250. I moved your message to this intro discussion:
- Welcome to the NETs Group! Come say hi. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/welcome-to-our-new-group/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with fellow members, especially @ceavce @tomewilson @kim1965 @markmark007 and others who are caring for a spouse with NETs.

I know you are worried. Who wouldn't be? You've just been thrown into a foreign zone and things are turned upside down for you and your family. There are quite a few members here who go to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. Dr. Starr's team specialize in NETs. Should you decide to get a second opinion at Mayo Clinic, I know you'll be in good hands.

NETs often involves multiple test to confirm details of the diagnosis and to dtermine the best treatment specific to your wife's tumor and health status. Do you know what tests she is scheduled for? Do you have any questions about what to expect?

Thank you Colleen. They have done following tests in order below

Xray - saw a mass in lung
Cad Scan - mass in lung , spreads in spine, liver, breast
PETscan - Confirmed the cad scan
MRI of Brain - thankfully all good there.
Biopsy of liver : Neuroendocrine Cancer
Biopsy of breast : result pending
Origin : unknown

Right now we are seeing surgeon oncologist at Emory to review the results . I believe he wants to do a overall MRI. Please send me information on great neuroendocrine oncologist. I've been told best place would be MD Anderson and Mayo. But we don't know any names.

Thank you

Hello @aliatl,

If you would like to consult with a Mayo NET specialist, please use this link to schedule an appointment, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63. It is not necessary to ask for a particular doctor, as Mayo will find the best physician for you to see. As there are three campuses at Mayo, you can pick the one that is most convenient for you.

How are you dealing with all of this new information?

new here. was just diagnosed with LiverNET. My symptoms were fatigue and diarrhea. Had an ultrasound, then a cat scan and finally a biopsy which confirmed the pots on my liver were cancerous. My PCP was very assertive to get the ultrasound as the original diagnosis to my symptoms was that my body was absorbing iron (also had a ferretin count 3x target). So I donated blood a few times but she was worried the increased iron could impact my organs and scheduled the ultra sound. My next steps:
1. Have a PET scan to find the source of the liver cancer (neck to toes)
2. Have an echocardiogram to see if the cancer has thickened the walls of my aorta (while not a common occurrence, it does happen)
3. Start the monthly injections (PRRT)
I'm feeling positive and hopeful and just started reading these posts. The support here is wonderful and I have a lot to learn. Any insight from people who have already gone through this process is more than welcome. We are scheduling to have #1 and #2 completed by the end of this month. Thanks

@hollywood817- Wow... you are going through a lot. Have you by chance had genetic testing done for hemochromatosis? In 2013, I landed in the emergency room; actually felt like I was dying. They thought I had a blood clot because the test for that came back positive. Chest CT showed no clot. However, the GI specialist I was sent to b/c of high liver enzymes had the presence of mind to do the genetic test for hemochromatosis. My ferritin, too, was astronomical. I have the two C282Y gene alleles. Had a hysterectomy in 2006 and the ferritin had been climbing since then. Eight weeks of phlebotomy to bring it down. I have taken a calcium with high iron meals and have not had to have phlebotomy since, although I might need one in the next couple of months. I have relaxed my diet too much.

While all of this was going on, they discovered a "hemangioma" on my liver and an adrenal "adenoma," which has been monitored yearly ever since. In 2018, a CT showed a mass in my bladder; was incorrectly diagnosed with high grade bladder cancer. Mass was removed; thank God it wasn't a secreting tumor. Went through induction BCG, became septic from the treatment and was told I couldn't have anymore treatment. I made myself an appointment at John's Hopkins, had my tumor slides and urine sample sent to them. Lo and behold, it was NOT bladder cancer but a paraganglioma. Hot mess!

I have had cystoscopies yearly since then, all negative. CTs yearly as well. I did have a PET after correct diagnosis, which was negative except for something diagnosed as a "probable reactive lymph node." The hemangioma seems to have disappeared after all of these years and the adrenal adenoma is unchanged. That is the extent and end of my surveillance, other than yearly AFP blood test and liver ultrasounds to monitor from the hemochromatosis. I did convince my urologist to do a PET instead of another CT, which is scheduled for 1/24. I am greatly concerned about the amount of radiation I have had.

I am single, without family, and traveling to one of these wonderful out-of-state facilities is just not an option for me. I would love to have a physician here in Gloucester, Virginia (or near) who could monitor with blood tests, etc., and go out of state only if absolutely unavoidable.

I'm counting on a clear PET... for you and me both! We've got this! Be well!

Great info and of course I’m sorry for all you’ve been through. I have not had a genetic hemochromatosis test but will do so now. I’ll continue to provide updates. My oncologist didn’t mention surgery to remove masses from liver as an option and I will press him on that issue. My LiverNET has been graded low to moderate which I believe is good news. I’m extremely positive I’ve got this! I reside in Northern VA. and there are wonderful med facilities in this area, More soon and best to all.

My husband has neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer stage four in liver as well. He's been having trouble with his sugar tanking. doc has him on 40mg steroids to control it. he also has stomach pain and he is on 15mg morhine 2x a day. He has trouble sleeping and can't stand how his face is swollen. treatment so far has been lanreotide injection, and he has had Y90 2x on liver tumors. When we first spoke to his oncologist she said this wasn't deadly. Now when we ask her any questions she just keeps saying well you have stage 4 cancer being vague when we ask if this is deadly. it has been just a little over a year since diagnosed. his endocrinologist sucks she hasn't said if there is a diet for him to control his sugar instead of having him take such high dose steroids. Is there ? thanks for listening just frustrated

I also have stage 4 Neuroendocrine in the body pancreas along with small spots on my liver. I’m going on two years of chemo treatments. I have tolerated the treatments very well and alway looking to connect with people with the same cancer. I never know what to expect with this cancer and love to hear from others. Prayers for you husband. 🙏🏻

Hi everyone,
I’m a 59 old male who was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroendocrine/ acinar cancer in the Pancreas body along with small spots on my liver. I’m going on two years of chemo treatments. The cancer I have is rare and only consists in 1% of all pancreas cancers.
I have been of Chemo for almost two years and have tolerated the treatments very well. I’ve also had genetic testing done so I could provide with my family if this was hereditary so they could look out for this in their bodies. The good news was this wasn’t hereditary. I’ve been treated locally and have been to Dana Faber in Boston for a second opinion. Another good thing is my mail lesion on the Pancreas has shrunk about 60% fro the original size and the small spot on liver also decreased.
I’m always wondering if there is any other treatments that I can do along with the chemo to shrink the cancer. Feel free to charm in or contact me.
Praying for all cancer patients. 🙏🏻

First of all, I'm sorry about your challenges, but it sounded like you have a positive attitude which is so essential.
But a statement you made caught my attention. PRRT (which I have had) is not a monthly injection. It's a targeted, infusion treatment done every 8 weeks following a specialized PET CT (Lu-177 Lutathera) which identifies exactly where the tumors are. Sounds like your doctor wants to start you on monthly injections of Octreotide (Sandostatin) which are given every 28 days. It's frequently the first line of treatment. It should help the diarrhea, flushing, etc.
Hoping for the best outcome for you.