Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are types of cancers that are rare and unknown among the population. It is estimated that there is an incidence of between six and seven cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with about 4,000 new patients being diagnosed annually. This year, between March 7 and 9, Barcelona becomes the host of the 15th European Congress of Neuroendocrine Tumors, a meeting in which Dr. Enrique Grande, head of the Medical Oncology Service at MD Anderson Madrid, participated, who has made reference to the main novelties in the approach and treatment of this disease.
NETs are those tumors that affect the glands or devices of the neuroendocrine system, such as the pituitary or thyroid, and the cells of the endocrine system in general, located mainly in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. "One of the advances in which the congress is focused are the therapies in clinical development with new drugs for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors", explains Dr. Grande.
Immunotherapy is one of the main ways to treat NETs, in which some of the most hopeful drugs are found. The study being carried out by the Spanish Group of Neuroendocrine and Endocrine Tumors (GETNE), in which two immunotherapies are combined, stands out. Doctors can also resort to other treatments such as anti-target therapies, directed against molecular alterations typical of these tumors, and radionuclides.
As these tumors affect the production of hormones with such different functions, each patient develops the disease in a different way, so the multidisciplinary approach to the tumor is very important. "Clinical research and multidisciplinary treatment by health professionals such as oncologists, endocrinologists and surgeons is fundamental", emphasizes the doctor.