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Neuroendocrine Tumors Specialist - Dr. Scott Liu
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are the tumors, which occur due to hormone-producing cells in the organs such as the gut, pancreas and lungs. Dr. In Houston, GastroDoxs with Scott provides expert diagnosis and individualized therapy, including medications and less invasive procedures to both dietary and lifestyle identification, to enhance better results.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
What Are Neuroendocrine Tumors?
The existence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare and develop out of the neuroendocrine cells, which are spread across the body and aids in the regulation of the different functions of the body by releasing hormones. The tumors may be benign or malignant, develop in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or lungs. Depending on the location of the tumor, its hormonic nature, and so on, tumor symptoms may involve pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, flushing or unexplainable weight loss. This diagnosis is commonly done through blood and urine, sophisticated images, and biopsy. Treatment encompasses surgery, hormone therapy, targeted drugs, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) and treatment depends on the type and stage of tumor. The sooner it is diagnosed, the better.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Family history of inherited syndromes (e.g., MEN1)
He talks about the patterns of your epigastric pain, symptoms with regard to hormones (flushing, diarrhea, hypoglycemia), and a family history of NETs, and conducts a focused physical examination.
Lab Tests
Functional NETs are determined by measuring tumor markers and hormone levels-chromogranin A, gastrin, insulin, and 5 -HIAA -in blood and urine.
Imaging Studies
Contrast enhanced CT or MRI locates lesions in the pancreas, gut, liver, or lungs.
Somatostatin receptor PET/CT (e.g., DOTATATE PET) highlights small or metastatic tumors.
Advanced Testing (if needed)
Tissue confirmation and grading are offered by endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration or endoscopic biopsy.
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for neuroendocrine tumors.
1. Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
Eat frequently and in small quantities to avoid spikes in hormones.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Engage in stress-relieving activities such as meditation and breathing.
2. Medications
To slow tumor growth and regulate hormone levels, somatropins are used as analogs of somatropin.
Babies get directed treatments based on the type of tumor.
The treatment of Nettersheim and advanced (faster growing) NETs using chemotherapy.
3. Minimal Invasive and Advanced Procedures
Endoscopic resection as a means to resect small tumors of the GI tract.
Ablation of liver tumors by the use of radiofrequency heat.
The use of PRRT that targets radiation to the cells of NETs.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do neuroendocrine tumors represent cancer?
Not all of the NETs develop swiftly and behave as benign tumors, as some of them can be malignant and go as far as to spread in case they are not treated.
What types of NETs are common?
The carcinoid tumors of the gut and lungs and the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are the most common NETs.
When will I feel better when I start treatment?
The majority of patients report improvement in their symptoms in several weeks of the treatment.
Will I be undergoing surgery to treat my NET?
Not always. Small tumors may frequently be treated using drugs or excised through minimally invasive operations.
Are lifestyle changes effective in the treatment of NET symptoms?
Yes. Symptoms could be minimized with a low-fat, well-balanced diet, small and frequent meals, an adequate level of hydration, and stress management.
Are NETs recurrent following the treatment?
They may be repeated, this is why frequent visits and imaging examinations must be done.
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