Surgery for Neuroendocrine Tumors

Many doctors have historically considered surgery the first and best option for treating a neuroendocrine tumor (NET), when appropriate for their patients.
But with all the treatments that have emerged over the past 10 years, as well as new perspectives on treating these tumors, is that still the case?
NET experts Dr. Alexandra Gangi, Dr. Rodney Pommier, and Dr. Mark Lewis weigh in on surgery's role in the treatment process, including: which patients are ideal surgical candidates, when is surgery not an option, at what point in sequencing of treatments does surgery fall, and what new developments have occurred that make the chances of removing a NET through surgery more likely.
Dr. Lewis provides a unique perspective on surgery as an oncologist and NET patient who had the Whipple surgical procedure himself!
Find out more about NETs at www.carcinoid....

[@lisafarrow8467]

That’s my situation. The doctors in the state of Ohio say that I am not eligible for surgery and my insurance will not pay for me to see a specialized NET team, including a Surgeon, out of state. In the meantime my liver is failing while I meet all the criteria to be eligible for liver surgery which would save my life.

[@CarcinoidNETs]

We're so sorry to hear this, Lisa. Have you talked to a patient advocate at the insurance company? It's possible they could help you. We have information about fighting denied insurance claims on our website here, www.carcinoid.org/for-patients/general-information/what-if-insurance-wont-pay/, maybe there are some tips that could be helpful for you. The Ohio NET support groups might also be helpful in case anyone else in the groups had the same experience, www.carcinoid.org/resources/support-groups/directory/ (the directory is alphabetical by state). We hope you will be able to see a NET specialist.

[@lasleyArt]

Very interesting and informative, but wonder about multiple NETs in the lungs.

[@cathyfreeman9524]

Dr. Pommier took out one of my tumors. An excellent liver surgeon took out my right liver lobe. Liver grew back in 4 months. I've had two other liver surgeries for tumors right and left liver lobe. I've had a Whipple surgery and have an inherited disease like Dr. Lewis has. My son has not been DNA tested but could inherit the tumors my father had, and I have. That has been my scariest thought during my 13 years of tumor treatment and 7 surgeries. And I was once told "I was no longer operable" and "you have less than a year to live" when I found a surgeon at our National Cancer Institute who said he'd take on my case and created a Research and Surgery Study to treat my type of tumors. All treatment at NCI is free.

[@CarcinoidNETs]

Hi Cathy, thanks so much for sharing about your experience having Dr. Pommier as your surgeon. We're glad you found him. If you need any resources for you or your family, please let us know by email, www.carcinoid.org/contact/. We're here to help!

[@vickienfield1649]

I just love My Dr. (Dr Pommier ) He is top notch and has so much knowledge with this Carcinoid Cancer.

[@CarcinoidNETs]

Hi Vicki, what wonderful comments about Dr. Pommier! People seek his surgical expertise as a neuroendocrine cancer specialist from all over the country.

[@vickienfield1649]

@@CarcinoidNETs I feel like I was Blessed with the best when I was in search of a specialist like 12 yrs ago and found him 🙏