Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) develop in the neuroendocrine system, which is responsible for producing hormones and other chemicals that control normal body functions.
The neuroendocrine system is made up of nerve (neuro) and hormone (endocrine) cells.
NETs can occur anywhere in the body but particularly the small intestine, pancreas, lungs, appendix, and rectum.
Victorian Cancer Registry data indicates there were more than 8000 Victorian patients with neuroendocrine cancers from 1982 to 2019, and the incidence is rising.
Patients with NET can be presented with an array of symptoms, including hormonal syndromes that cause excessive hormone production. With the heterogenous nature of the disease, standard of care treatment of NET usually depends on several factors including the location of the tumour, the grade and stage of the cancer, as well as patient’s overall health. The primary treatment options are surgery, somatostatin analogues, chemotherapy and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT).
NET Centre Of Excellence (COE)
Peter Mac Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) service was the first centre outside Europe granted with “Neuroendocrine Cancer Centre of Excellence (NET COE)” status from the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) in 2018. This is based on NET patient volume, the depth and breadth of multidisciplinary expertise and therapies, with a focus on novel research and clinical trials.
ENETS is the most preeminent international NET society and the certification process required an 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.
Since 2018, our multidisciplinary team work passionately to provide specialised expertise, cutting-edge diagnostics, personalised treatment options and comprehensive supportive care services to patients with NET across Australia as well as New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
Alongside our focus on patient care is a strong commitment to education and research.
