A cancer is usually named after the part of the body where it first started to grow. This is known as the primary site or the primary tumor. If the cancer cells spread from the primary site to another part of the body, it is called a secondary cancer or a metastasis.
In NETs, primary tumors can occur in neuroendocrine cells almost anywhere in the body, but are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system), pancreas, and lungs.
They can also start in other regions — such as the ovaries and testes — and can spread to the liver or bone.
Compared with other cancers, NETs can be small and may grow slowly over a number of years but some NETs can grow faster than others. NETs do not usually cause noticeable symptoms until the tumors have grown and spread. If the tumor grows larger than 2 cm in diameter, there is more than a 50% chance that it will spread to other parts of the body.
The emotional, physical, and social challenges of living with NETs.
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