Q:
What are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors?
A:
Hearing that you have got a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, or PNET, is not the end of the world. The primary task for you now is to work with your doctor to formulate a treatment plan.
PNETs, or islet cell tumors, form in hormone-making cells of the pancreas. PNETs are not very common, taking up 5% of all pancreatic tumors. PNETs can be benign or malignant, and the malignant PNET is called pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.
PNETs have two types: functional and non-functional. The former make its own hormones and causes symptoms. The latter cause no symptoms.
The good news is that these tumors don’t grow as fast as the normal pancreatic tumors. Through some treatments, you may get them removed, treated and their symptoms alleviated.
Keywords: pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
