Types of neuroendocrine cancer

Neuroendocrine Carcinomas (NECs) are different to neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The cancer cells look very abnormal and grow rapidly. Treatment is different.

There are different groups of lung neuroendocrine cancer. Lung neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) include typical and atypical carcinoids. Lung neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) include small cell and large cell NECs.

Stomach neuroendocrine cancers start in the neuroendocrine cells of the stomach. Neuroendocrine cells in the stomach help control the release of digestive juices and how fast food moves through the stomach.

Small bowel neuroendocrine cancers start in the neuroendocrine cells of the small bowel (small intestine). Cancers can develop in the different parts of the small bowel including the ileum, jejunum and duodenum.

Large bowel and rectal neuroendocrine cancers are less common than other types of bowel cancer. They develop in the neuroendocrine cells of the large bowel (colon) or back passage (rectum).

There are different types of neuroendocrine cancer that develop in the pancreas. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) include insulinoma, gastrinoma, somatostatinoma, glucagonoma and VIPoma.

Non functioning pancreatic NETs are the most common type of pancreatic NET. Non functioning means they don’t over produce hormones, or cause a set of symptoms (syndrome).

Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) that start in the pancreas. They make the hormone insulin which controls the amount of sugar (glucose) in your body.

Gastrinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) that develop in the pancreas or duodenum. They make large amounts of the hormone gastrin.

Glucagonomas are very rare NETs that develop in the pancreas. Glucagonomas usually make large amounts of glucagon which raises your blood sugar levels.

VIPomas are rare pancreatic NETs that start in the cells that make the hormone VIP. VIP relaxes the stomach and bowel muscles and affects sugar, salt and water levels in your gut.

Somatostatinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). They develop in the pancreas and the duodenum. Most somatostatinomas make large amounts of the hormone somatostatin.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a type of skin cancer that starts in Merkel cells. These are a type of neuroendocrine cell so MCC is also called a neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC).