EPISODE 25: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT GRADE 3 POORLY DIFFERENTIATED NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA (NEC)

Download the transcript here:

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

What are Grade 3 Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (NEC)? What makes NEC unique? Can a NET transform to NEC? Dr. Nitya Raj from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City explains NEC tumor biology and how it guides treatment strategy. She also discusses current clinical trials and research.

MEET DR. NITYA RAJ

Nitya Raj, MD is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with a clinical practice devoted to caring for people with gastrointestinal and endocrine cancers, including neuroendocrine tumors, adrenal cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Raj’s research focuses on advancing treatments for neuroendocrine cancers (a rare group of tumors that often begin in the body’s digestive organs  as well as adrenocortical cancers. Dr. Raj is also studying ways to improve our understanding of how neuroendocrine tumors change at the genetic level over time and as a result of different treatments, in order to better personalize our care for people with these cancers. Dr. Raj’s work has been recognized and supported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology with a Young Investigator Award and Career Development Award, as well as by the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation with a Pilot Award. Nationally, Dr. Raj serves on the Neuroendocrine Tumor Task Force of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Raj is on the faculty of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College.

TOP 10 QUESTIONS

1. What is a poorly differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC)? Are all NEC poorly differentiated and are all poorly differentiated NEC? Where are they located? 

2. How are NEC found? How does one know it is a NEC? 

3. How is NEC unique compared to other types of neuroendocrine cancers? In particular, how is it different from grade 3 NET?

4. What types of labs, scans, or testing for NEC?

5. Can a NEC be surgically removed? How would you decide if, when, and how?

6. How are NEC treated medically (or nonsurgically)? 

7. What treatment might you use as second-line? What is the role of liver-directed therapy? What is the role of immunotherapy?

8. What are clinical trials we should be aware of or exciting new treatments in the pipeline for NEC?

9. How are NEC monitored? What types of bloodwork or tests should be done and how often should they be done? 

10. What words of hope would you like to leave the neuroendocrine cancer community with?

RESOURCES 

Click here for more resources for high-grade >>

READ

• Expert Consensus Practice Recommendations of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society for the management of high grade gastroenteropancreatic and gynecologic neuroendocrine neoplasms in: Endocrine-Related Cancer Volume 30 Issue 8 (2023)

CLINICAL TRIAL

• SWOG 2012 Trial

DISCLAIMER

LACNETS Podcasts are created for educational purposes only and do not substitute for medical advice. The views shared in this Podcast are the personal opinions of the experts and do not necessarily reflect the views of LACNETS. Please contact your medical team with questions or concerns about your individual care or treatment.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS