Treatment options

 

Surgery is used in neuroendocrine cancers if the primary tumour can be removed. In advanced cases where it is not possible to remove the tumour, surgery is occasionally used to reduce the burden on other parts of the body and improve your symptoms. 

Read more about cancer surgery at Royal Surrey.

 

 Transarterial Embolisation (TAE)

This is a targeted treatment undertaken in interventional radiology and can be suitable for some neuroendocrine cancers when there are tumours in the liver, not suitable for surgical removal. By accessing the liver via the femoral vein, the tumour’s blood supply is blocked with tiny beads or gel. Reducing the tumour’s blood supply causes the cancer cells to die.

 

Lanreotide injection

This injection is usually given monthly. It works by blocking the overproduction of somatostatin hormone, and can reduce the severity of your symptoms (if you have any) and slow the progression of the cancer.

 

Chemotherapy - is a systemic cancer treatment which uses medicine to kill cancer cells. In neuroendocrine cancer, various chemotherapies can be used to shrink down the cancer. These can be given intravenous (directly into the vein) or in tablet form.

Learn more about chemotherapy at Royal Surrey Cancer Centre.

 

Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) – This treatment delivers radionuclide therapy to tumours in your body. It is given as an inpatient intravenously (directly into a vein), overseen by the specialist nuclear medicine team.  

Read more about PRRT and how it is delivered at Royal Surrey.