What is Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Our endocrine system is a group of glands consisting of endocrine cells that produce hormones. In same way, neuroendocrine system cells are specialized endocrine cells of the nervous system produces neurohormones.
Neuroendocrine cells do not form a specific gland, they are found distributed in a wide variety of body organs where they help regulate body function. Neuroendocrine Carcinoma represent large class of cancers that occur wherever neuroendocrine cells are found throughout the body.
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma is also called as carcinoid Carcinoma. But it is considered as a sub-category of the larger family of neuroendocrine tumors. Neuroendocrine Carcinoma are mostly found in the digestive system and the lung.
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma mainly occur in the appendix, ileum, and in the bronchi. It also occur in
pancreatic region called neuroendocrine pancreatic carcinoma which is a rare form of cancer mainly occur in 1 or 2 people per 100,000.
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma occur with the equal frequency in men and women and the average age at diagnosis is of 53 years. These cells release excessive amounts of neurohormones in the blood with chemical composition that varies with location.
Unlike the other cancers that are located in any organ, the hormone-releasing action of these carcinoma causes other symptoms to appear in many other organs of the body as well. The majority of neuroendocrine tumors can give rise to metastases with time if they are left untreated.
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma is possibly under-reported because they grow at very slow rate and dont produce dramatic symptoms.