Controlling tumor symptoms and treatment side effects
We work with top gastroenterologists from Penn Medicine to manage NET symptoms and treatment side effects, including:
Our can team can provide a range of medications to bring diarrhea under control. It’s fairly common to experience diarrhea when:
- Undergoing some types of drug therapy for neuroendocrine tumors
- Recovering from NET surgery that removes some of the small intestine or the pancreas
People may also experience diarrhea from a pancreatic NET or from certain GI NETs or lung NETs releasing the hormone serotonin. This release can lead to carcinoid syndrome, often marked by more intense diarrhea. We can prescribe a stronger antidiarrheal medication such as telotristat to help. This medication is usually combined with a somatostatin analog, a type of drug therapy.
Our team can also work to potentially adjust your doses for cancer treatment or try other medications.
Other medications can help relieve nausea and vomiting, which are sometimes experienced with:
- Chemotherapy and targeted therapy, types of drug therapy
- GI NETs
- Liver-directed therapy — namely, embolization
- Some paragangliomas
- Surgery
- Therapy given as nuclear medicine for NETs
It’s not unusual to experience unintended weight loss with a cancerous NET. Cancerous cells may use more energy, and can release substances that interfere with normal calorie use. You might also lose your appetite from the effects of a tumor or from treatment.
Additionally, surgery to remove some of the GI tract can lead to challenges with nutrients and minerals. So can GI NETs and pancreatic NETs.
Registered dietitian nutritionists at Penn Medicine can help, including with drugs to boost appetite and weight gain. They can also help create personalized diets.
Learn more about nutritional counseling and services.