Tumores neuroendocrinos

Descripción general

Los tumores neuroendocrinos son bultos anormales que crecen en células especializadas llamadas neuroendocrinas. Las células neuroendocrinas son parecidas a las células nerviosas y a las células que producen hormonas.

Los tumores neuroendocrinos son raros y pueden formarse en cualquier parte del cuerpo. La mayoría de los tumores neuroendocrinos ocurren en los pulmones, el apéndice, el intestino delgado, el recto y el páncreas.

Los tumores neuroendocrinos pueden ser no cancerosos (benignos) o cancerosos (malignos).

El diagnostico y tratamiento de los tumores neuroendocrinos depende del tipo de tumor, su ubicación, si produce o no exceso de hormonas, cuan agresivo es o si se ha diseminado a otras partes del cuerpo.

Tipos

Síntomas

Neuroendocrine tumors don't always cause signs and symptoms at first. The symptoms you might experience depend on the location of your tumor and whether it produces excess hormones.

In general, neuroendocrine tumor signs and symptoms might include:

• Pain from a growing tumor
• A growing lump you can feel under the skin
• Feeling unusually tired
• Losing weight without trying

Neuroendocrine tumors that produce excess hormones (functional tumors) might cause:

• Skin flushing
• Diarrhea
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Dizziness
• Shakiness
• Skin rash

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that worry you.

Causas

The exact cause of neuroendocrine tumors isn't known. These cancers begin in neuroendocrine cells that have traits similar to those of nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. Neuroendocrine cells are found throughout your body.

Neuroendocrine tumors begin when neuroendocrine cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. The DNA inside a cell contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes tell the neuroendocrine cells to multiply rapidly and form a tumor.

Some neuroendocrine tumors grow very slowly. Others are aggressive cancers that invade and destroy normal body tissue or spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Factores de riesgo

The risk of neuroendocrine tumors is higher in people who inherit genetic syndromes that increase the risk of cancer. Examples include:

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN 1)
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN 2)
• Von Hippel-Lindau disease
• Tuberous sclerosis
• Neurofibromatosis

Estudios clínicos

Explora los estudios de Mayo Clinic de evaluación de tratamientos, intervenciones y análisis nuevos como medio para prevenir, detectar, tratar o controlar esta enfermedad.