The neuroendocrine tumour interest group is concerned with the management of neuroendocrine tumours. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are composed of neuroendocrine cells, which are cells that produce and secrete regulatory hormones and are present throughout the nervous and endocrine/hormonal systems. As neuroendocrine cells are distributed widely throughout the body, tumours of these cells can occur at many sites. Neuroendocrine tumours occur most commonly in the digestive system but can occur in other parts of the body.
These are uncommon tumours that have many unusual features. This makes optimal and standardised management a challenge. Management of these rare tumours is also compounded by limited access to many emerging investigations and treatments.
COSA has coordinated a number of workshops to discuss the management of NETs in Australia. From these workshops a number of projects have been committed, including:
- facilitating the set up of state based cross institutional NETs multidisciplinary networks, initially to be piloted in several states
- development of a national NETs database and tumour registry
- development of NETs specific clinical trials
- development of Australian guidelines for NET management
2008 Neuroendocrine Tumour workshop report (pdf, 219kb)