Should I see a NET specialist?

Posted by Liz @lizzyeastwood, May 17, 2023

In January 2020 I had a distal pancreaectomy to remove a malignant non functioning pancreatic tumor. It was well defined; local lymph nodes clear; ki 67 >2. Every 6 months I receive a pt scan which I discus with my surgeon’s PA. Should I also be consulting with a Net specialist?

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

@gram26

It has probably been close to 10 years since DIPNECH was suspected in me. In the following years, I have been to Denver to Jewish Hospital for a week, they confirmed the diagnosis, and since have been followed here in Atlanta. No doc has ever mentioned anything more than a twice yearly CT scan, which has now changed to once yearly as there has been little change. Do I need to go further? The one thing that I do know is that I become very short of breath easily, am on oxygen at night only or when I fly, or if I go into the mountains. Just wondering what Mayo would advise as I want to stay on top of this tiger! Jane Weaver

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@gram26

Hello Jane and welcome to the NETs support group on Mayo Connect. I so appreciated you saying, "...I want to stay on top of this tiger!" That is something all of us would like to do! You are wise to want a good follow up plan that will keep you as healthy as possible with DIPNECH.

We have several members on Connect who also have DIPNECH and I would like to invite them to post about their experiences for follow up with you. Perhaps @californiazebra will share her experiences with you. I would also encourage you to look at a discussion group that deals specifically with DIPNECH. Please read the posts, I think you will learn a lot from others, and you can begin posting your questions in that group. Here is the link.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-dipnech-diagnosis-need-advice-on-doctors/

Getting another opinion, especially about the shortness of breath is probably a good idea. If you would like a consultation with Mayo Clinic here is a link that will take you to the appointment website, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63. You can seek an appointment using this website at any of the three Mayo Clinic campuses (Minnesota, Florida or Arizona).

I look forward to hearing from you again. Has the shortness of breath become more of a problem recently, or has it remained the same since your diagnosis ten years ago?

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It has probably been close to 10 years since DIPNECH was suspected in me. In the following years, I have been to Denver to Jewish Hospital for a week, they confirmed the diagnosis, and since have been followed here in Atlanta. No doc has ever mentioned anything more than a twice yearly CT scan, which has now changed to once yearly as there has been little change. Do I need to go further? The one thing that I do know is that I become very short of breath easily, am on oxygen at night only or when I fly, or if I go into the mountains. Just wondering what Mayo would advise as I want to stay on top of this tiger! Jane Weaver

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@lizzyeastwood

Hi. I guess my original post was confusing. I had a PNet resected and now I am on six months scans and blood work. Because it was resected I didn’t know if I should be seeing a Net specialist, or have a Net specialist on my team. Thanks

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Hi @lizzyeastwood,

I noticed in a previous post that you are being seen at Mayo in Rochester. Is that correct? If so, you are probably seeing a NET specialist. You can certainly verify that, though with your medical team.

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@lizzyeastwood

Hi. I guess my original post was confusing. I had a PNet resected and now I am on six months scans and blood work. Because it was resected I didn’t know if I should be seeing a Net specialist, or have a Net specialist on my team. Thanks

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I think that is your call. However, I would see a NET specialist just to be cautious.

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@hopeful33250

Hello @fabiant,

I am glad to hear that you are being seen by NET specialists at Mayo. What is the current plan of treatment for your PNET?

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Hello

I'm on a watch and observe plan. I will have my next scans in six months or approximately in October or November.

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@tomrennie

So we want a NET specialist on our care team even if we don't have NETs? As a Mayo patient, I am all confused.

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Hi. I guess my original post was confusing. I had a PNet resected and now I am on six months scans and blood work. Because it was resected I didn’t know if I should be seeing a Net specialist, or have a Net specialist on my team. Thanks

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@fabiant

I also have a PNET and am being seen at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale/Phoenix. They have a very good NET program. Dr Sonbol is my doctor and my surgeon is Dr. Stucky who specializes in PNETs also. They are part of a multi-disciplanary team to diagnoses and treats PNETs. Good luck.

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Dr. Sonbol is my doctor as well.

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@fabiant

I also have a PNET and am being seen at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale/Phoenix. They have a very good NET program. Dr Sonbol is my doctor and my surgeon is Dr. Stucky who specializes in PNETs also. They are part of a multi-disciplanary team to diagnoses and treats PNETs. Good luck.

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Hello @fabiant,

I am glad to hear that you are being seen by NET specialists at Mayo. What is the current plan of treatment for your PNET?

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@lizzyeastwood

Thank you very much for your reply. It has made me anxious that Mayo hasn’t suggested a Net specialist. I will definitely check out LACNETS. Blessing and good luck to you!

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I also have a PNET and am being seen at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale/Phoenix. They have a very good NET program. Dr Sonbol is my doctor and my surgeon is Dr. Stucky who specializes in PNETs also. They are part of a multi-disciplanary team to diagnoses and treats PNETs. Good luck.

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@lizzyeastwood

I’m well. Thank you for checking. I just had a scan in Rochester that they said looked “great”. When I read the other posts I get concerned that I’m not doing enough for myself, but I think that is a pretty universal concern with cancer. Not completely related but my husband died of melanoma when my children were young, so I’ve been determined to seek the best care I could find. Mayo has literally been a lifesaver.

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I go to Mayo Phoenix/Scottsdale. They have been a lifesaver for me too.

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