Irrfan Khan diagnosed with NeuroEndocrine Tumour : Statement - Page 3

Types of neuroendocrine tumors

There are many types of neuroendocrine tumors. This section focuses on 3 specific types: pheochromocytoma, Merkel cell cancer, and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Other types of tumors that begin in hormone-producing cells are described in their own sections on Cancer.Net, including endocrine tumors, carcinoid tumors, thymoma, thyroid cancer, and islet cell tumors.

• Pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that begins in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland. These specialized cells release the hormone adrenaline during times of stress. Pheochromocytoma most often occurs in the adrenal medulla, the area inside the adrenal glands. This type of tumor increases the production of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase blood pressure and heart rate. Even though a pheochromocytoma is usually benign, it may still be life-threatening because the tumor may release large amounts of adrenaline into the bloodstream after injury. Among people with pheochromocytoma, 80% have a tumor in 1 adrenal gland, 10% have tumors in both glands, and 10% have a tumor outside the adrenal glands.

• Merkel cell cancer. Merkel cell cancer is a highly aggressive, or fast-growing, rare cancer. It starts in hormone-producing cells just beneath the skin and in the hair follicles. It is usually found in the head and neck region. Merkel cell cancer may also be called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin or trabecular cancer.

• Neuroendocrine carcinoma. Around 60% of neuroendocrine tumors cannot be described as anything other than "neuroendocrine carcinoma. Neuroendocrine carcinoma can start in a number of places in the body, including the lungs, brain, and gastrointestinal tract.