One of the rarest tumors in the human body is the neuroendocrine tumor. According to statistics, this type of tumor occurs in 10 people out of 150,000. Despite the low prevalence, these tumors are very dangerous at the advanced stages. That is why it is so important to undergo regular medical check-ups.
If your country does not have such a possibility, you can undergo treatment in modern clinics of foreign countries. Moreover, you can undergo modern therapy of neuroendocrine tumors with Lutetium-177. You should not postpone treatment – the earlier the tumor is detected, the easier is to treat it.
What are neuroendocrine tumors?
Neuroendocrine tumors are the most common malignant tumors that are localized in the endocrine glands. When the endocrine glands are affected, severe changes occur in the human body, as they are responsible for all the metabolic processes.
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are detected in about 5% of cancer patients in the world, more than 800 new cases are registered annually. Risks are the same for men and women, tumors of this type can develop at any age. The most common of them are insulinoma, glucagonoma, and gastrinoma.
Symptoms of neuroendocrine tumors
With different types of tumor, symptoms may be different. Most often, at the initial stages, symptoms may be absent, which complicates the diagnosis making. That is why these tumors are often diagnosed at the advanced stages. If you notice one or more of the symptoms from the list, you should visit your general practitioner first. The main symptoms that can be felt by patients with neuroendocrine tumors are:
- Abdominal pain.
- Rapid changes in blood pressure.
- Decreased appetite.
- Swelling in the lower extremities or face.
- A tremor in the hands.
- Cramps in the lower limbs.
- Sharp changes in blood sugar levels.
- Sudden changes in mood.
Up-to-date methods of diagnostics
The best foreign hospitals use the newest diagnostic equipment, which allows detecting the tumor at the earliest stages. That is why they are so popular among patients from all over the world. Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. In foreign clinics, there are many examinations to detect neuroendocrine tumors, including specific blood analyses, urine analyses, and biopsy.
Most often, when a neuroendocrine tumor is suspected, the following examinations are performed:
- Computed tomography.
- Ultrasound examination.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Positron emission tomography.
Treatment of neuroendocrine tumors
The method of treating a neuroendocrine tumor will depend on tumor localization and stage, general health condition. Your physician will choose a method or a combination of them individually. Unfortunately, many people are diagnosed only after the tumor spreading, so it is so important to have regular check-ups.
However, in this case, you can still undergo surgery to remove the tumor. If surgery can not completely cure the disease, it can be used to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Innovative treatment of neuroendocrine tumors
Thanks to years of research, scientists have found a new method of treating neuroendocrine tumors. It is a method of radionuclide therapy with the affine to the tumor’s receptor radionuclide Lutetium-177. This method of treatment has proved to be very effective, especially in combination with other cancer treatment methods.
The main benefit of using Lutetium-177 for neuroendocrine tumors is safety for the patient. The usage of Lutetium-177 allowed patients with rare malignant diseases to regain hope for recovery. Studies have shown that the use of Lutetium-177 for the treatment of cancer at the 3 and 4 stages can prolong the life of the patient for at least a few years.
The best countries for treatment
To date, the leaders in the medical tourism industry are Turkey, Korea, and Germany. These countries have a high level of medical services combined with affordable prices. In addition, these countries value their reputation, so they are attentive to each patient.
In order to undergo treatment in one of these countries, you may contact the medical tourism operator Booking Health. After that, the company’s specialists will choose the best clinic for your treatment, as well as help with any issues during your treatment abroad. Over the years, the company has earned an excellent reputation, helping thousands of patients. More information about treatment abroad you can find on the website of Booking Health.