Episode 2: Imaging, Testing, and Building a Care Team
Detecting and Monitoring NETs
Learn about important neuroendocrine tumor diagnostic tests including Gallium 68, Ki-67, and 5-HIAA. Listen as NETWise takes you on a journey to diagnose neuroendocrine cancer. This episode discusses some common NET tests so you can understand their role in your treatment planning and be better able to understand what the results mean. You will hear from two patients about their experiences with diagnosis and monitoring. We explore imaging in this episode, describing CT and MRI scans, PET-CT scans, FDG-PET, octreotide scans, and Gallium-68 (Ga-68) dotatate PET. You will hear about endoscopy and biopsy. Pathology plays a role in determining a diagnosis as well as determining grade. You will learn about well-differentiated and poorly-differentiated NETs and what that may mean for determining treatment. We also talk about blood and urine tests and how they may be used for detection and monitoring. Finally, we speak with physicians about building an expert care team and how you can work with both a local doctor and distant expert to get the best care.
Use our episode infographics to get a visual picture of some of the things we have discussed.
From blood-testing to x-rays, and everything in between, learn more about the many different ways NETs are diagnosed and monitored.
NETs are a complicated disease and many people may be included in your care. Check out how many different people could be a part of your care and support team.
TAKE THE NET QUIZ
Los Angeles-based patient support group LACNETS has developed a NET quiz based on this NETWise podcast. Once you’ve finished listening, test your knowledge: Part 1, Part 2.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Donate Tumor Tissue for NET Research
Additional NET Research Foundation Resources:
Request a mailed copy of our Neuroendocrine Cancer Guide
Information and Resources for the Newly Diagnosed
Navigating the NET Patient Journey – Healing NET Foundation Guide
Get in touch:
Email questions or feedback to podcast@netrf.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter, YouTube.