Newly diagnosed - neuroendocrine tumor in intestines

Posted by wagneriandreamer @wagneriandreamer, Oct 31, 2022

on routine ct scan found a small abdominal mass. wasn't clear where it was originating from . went to gyn oncology. finally decided it wasn't gyn. had mri. was scheduled for surgury but surgeon wanted endodrine to clear me first. she did labs, 24 hr urine and pet scan. some labs and first urine got "screwed up by lab. my tumor has gotte.n much ,much larger. it has been a month since this happened. my surgury has been rescheduled twice. i am scared!!!! i feel like by the time i can have surgury they will tell me "it is to late. i had faith in all my drs seen here but now worried i should have gotten 2nd opinions at the start and now it is to late.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) Support Group.

@wagneriandreamer

Suppose to be in surgery at this very mini here but yesterday they called and rescheduled it for 2 weeks from today. 2 more weeks of crying and worrying. I have an appt Thurs with my surgeon for reassurance and to just talk. Now waiting on my 2nd 24 HR urine test to come back....I think that's the only test that is holding surgery up. Do you know how important it is to have a dopamine plasma test before surgury??....that's the only part of the labs they tossed out because lab sent it in improperly and endocrinologist never asked for repeat draw.

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@wagneriandreamer, just checking in on you. I hope you got reassurance and further clarification at your consult with the surgeon today. Did you discuss the results of your tests? How are you feeling?

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@wagneriandreamer

Suppose to be in surgery at this very mini here but yesterday they called and rescheduled it for 2 weeks from today. 2 more weeks of crying and worrying. I have an appt Thurs with my surgeon for reassurance and to just talk. Now waiting on my 2nd 24 HR urine test to come back....I think that's the only test that is holding surgery up. Do you know how important it is to have a dopamine plasma test before surgury??....that's the only part of the labs they tossed out because lab sent it in improperly and endocrinologist never asked for repeat draw.

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I never heard of that test I have to google that , what I can tell you is stressing out about it is only going to make you go crazy , and can lead to other medical problems, I’m glad your going to speak to your surgeon so he can give you some peace of mind 🙏🏽 hang in there , I get another cat scan November 7 and I pray the tumors on my ovaries and liver haven’t grown anymore since I’ve been getting the sandostatin shots , my husband and children have been a good support system for me , but this support group gives me the knowledge I need to combat this condition I have my tears but I don’t allow them to consume me I have to be strong ..

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Suppose to be in surgery at this very mini here but yesterday they called and rescheduled it for 2 weeks from today. 2 more weeks of crying and worrying. I have an appt Thurs with my surgeon for reassurance and to just talk. Now waiting on my 2nd 24 HR urine test to come back....I think that's the only test that is holding surgery up. Do you know how important it is to have a dopamine plasma test before surgury??....that's the only part of the labs they tossed out because lab sent it in improperly and endocrinologist never asked for repeat draw.

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It’s never to late you come to the right place , I’m a Neuroendocrine survivor I had surgery to remove a tumor in 2011 from my small intestines and I didn’t know what it was I suffered with stomach pain for years and was misdiagnosed with IBM , fast forward 2022 the tumors spread ,I was told carcinoid cancer is a slow growing cancer by many oncologists and it was from 2011 to 2022 I had no problems , I understand the fear you have. the surgeon that wanted to check the endocrine first , must feel like your case is not life threatening but with the continued growth you have to be proactive and seek second opinion, I pray you get resolution soon

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Hello @wagneriandreamer and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to hear of your recent health issues and the problems getting a diagnosis. If in fact, you have been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor I would encourage you to seek a consult with a NET specialist.

If your insurance does allow out of state second opinions when there are no specialists in your area, I'd encourage you to consider a second opinion (either in-person or a virtual meeting) at a facility nearby. In Arizona there is a Mayo facility where there are NET specialists. If you are interested in getting an appointment there here is a link to information about appointments, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

There is also a NET specialist in Colorado, Dr. Eric Liu, who is with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, https://www.rockymountaincancercenters.com/.

I know that saying to relax as much as possible is not easy when you are facing an unknown, but I'd encourage you to do just that. Become proactive in learning as much as possible about NETs. Ask good questions of your medical team and seek a second opinion when possible.

Will you let me know of other questions or concerns and especially let me know when you have surgery scheduled?

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