EPISODE 21: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SMALL BOWEL NETS

Download a Transcript of this Episode >>

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

How are small bowel NETs diagnosed, treated, and monitored? How is it different from other types of NETs? What are some exciting new treatments for small bowel NETs? NET oncologist Dr. David Zhen of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle answers 10 common questions about small bowel NETs. 

MEET DR. DAVID B. ZHEN

Dr. David Zhen is a medical oncologist who specializes in treating patients with gastrointestinal cancers. His research centers around the development of clinical trials evaluating new therapies and combination approaches for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancers, particularly for neuroendocrine and gastroesophageal cancers. He is also conducting research to understand the interactions of the immune system in gastrointestinal cancers and how this can be manipulated to improve upon the response to immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors, which block a braking system that cancers use to tamp down the immune response.

TOP 10 QUESTIONS

1. What are small bowel NETs? Where are they located?​

2. How are small bowel NETs found? What are the symptoms of a small bowel NET?

3. What types of labs, scans, or testing is done to determine if someone has a small bowel NET? Why are small bowel NETs not found in routine endoscopy or colonoscopy?

4. What are some ways that small bowel NETs differ from other types of NETs?

What makes small bowel NETs unique from other types of NETs?

5. How do you decide if the small bowel NET(s) can be surgically removed? What type of surgeon would make that determination?

6. How are small bowel NETs treated medically?

7. How are treatments sequenced?

8. How are the treatments different from other NETs?

9. What are some exciting new treatments in the pipeline for small bowel NETs? What are clinical trials we should be aware of for small bowel NETs?

​

10. How are small bowel NETs monitored?

• What types of bloodwork or tests should be done and how often should they be done? 

• What is the best type of scan for small bowel NETs?

​Bonus: What words of hope would you like to share with the NET community?

RESOURCES

WATCH

"Systemic Therapy: GI NET" - 2020 LACNETS Patient Education Conference

Recording of Dr. Zhen Visiting the LACNETS Support Group 

Patient Story: From Diagnosis to Patient Advocacy - 2022 LACNETS NET Patient Conference

NET Patient shares how she has learned not just to survive, but also to thrive.

LISTEN

Listen to the NETRF NETWise Special Episode: Small Bowel NET + Take the LACNETS Quiz  

READ

• 2017 The Surgical Management of Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors: Consensus Guidelines of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society 

• 2017 The North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Consensus Guidelines for Surveillance and Medical Management of Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors​​

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