Code Delicious With Dr. Mike

NET cancer presents symptoms similar to IBS. Find out what to look for before it's too late.NET Cancer Awareness Day is November 10th.  A neuroendocrine tumor (NET) comes from the embryonic neural crest cells. These cells migrate to areas throughout the body as the fetus matures, typically in the GI tract, lungs and pancreas. These cells can turn into a neuroendocrine tumor later in life. The tumors are unique, because they can create proteins (peptides) that can cause a variety of unique and unusual symptoms not seen in other cancers. These symptoms may not occur until later, making it tougher to diagnose the disease late in its onset. The most common carcinoid tumors, NET of the small intestine, may produce no symptoms for years. They are very slow growing tumors. The first symptom to present may be intermittent abdominal pain. That tummy ache will commonly result in an immediate IBS diagnosis, not the discovery of a tumor. An undiagnosed tumor can lead to wheezing, diarrhea and flushing. These three sympto