Peter Mac a global centre of excellence for neuroendocrine tumours
06 March 2024
The Peter Mac NET Unit
Peter Mac’s Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) Unit has again been recognised as a leading global centre of excellence for the treatment of these rare and complex tumours.
Neuroendocrine tumours develop from neuroendocrine cells, which are found throughout the body, particularly in the digestive tract, lungs, and pancreas.
These cells have attributes of both nerve cells and hormone-producing endocrine cells, hence their name.
Professor Michael Michael and Associate Professor Grace Kong led the Peter Mac NET Unit to successfully extend its accreditation with the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) for another two years.
“Our Centre of Excellence re-accreditation shows our strength and continued development as we provide world-leading care to the Southern Hemisphere,” NET Unit Co-Chair Associate Professor Grace Kong said.
“Peter Mac is at the forefront of neuroendocrine tumour management, offering specialised expertise, cutting-edge diagnostics, personalised treatment options, and comprehensive supportive care services.”
The Peter Mac NET Unit during the accreditation process with ENETS
ENETs is the most preeminent international NET society and the process involved extensive audit that involved the large multidisciplinary team who care for Peter Mac’s NET patients, including Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Medical Oncology, Pathology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Surgery, the NET Nurse Consultant and Quality/Safety team.
“The success of the audit is also down to the diligence, organisational skills and the huge amount of work put in by our ENETs coordinator Dr Wing Fai Nip,” A/Prof Kong added.
Peter Mac was the first centre outside of Europe to be granted the accreditation.
The unit continues to lead an extensive clinical and laboratory based NET research program which is guiding new therapies for this group of rare diseases.
Victorian Cancer Registry data indicates there were more than 8000 Victorian patients with neuroendocrine cancers from 1982 to 2019, and the incidence is rising.