Endocrine Abstracts

Neuroendocrine tumours are relatively rare tumours however the incidence has increased over the last 20 years from approximately 2 per 100,000 to 4 per 100,000 per year. These tumours are derived from the diffuse endocrine system and can be found anywhere in the body. They are classified according to their site of origin and whether they are functioning (hormone secreting) or non-functioning (non-hormone secreting). There are many types of neuroendocrine tumours including: med...

Nurse developments in the management of Neuroendocrine Tumours have changed significantly over the past five years. At the Royal Free Hospital we set up the nurse specialist role due to the expansion of patients being referred to the specialist unit, and the obvious need for a nursing input into their care. The nurse specialist can make a vast contribution within the context of a multidisciplinary team, especially in the production of guidelines and policies to ensure and main...

Somatostatin analogues are the first line therapy for patients with functioning neuroedocrine tumours. These drugs prevent the release of peptides which cause symptoms in patients with neuroendocrine tumours. Correct and proper preparation and administration of the analogues are vital in the care of patients. The somatostatin analogues not only provide relief of symptoms, benefiting the patient, but improve the quality of life for patients. The cost of the analogues to the hea...

We describe the case of a 57 year old patient who was referred in 1992. He gave a past history of renal colic in 1974 and a parathyroidectomy for hypercalcaemia in 1976. A duodenal ulcer was diagnosed in 1991. His presenting complaint was of watery diarrhoea persisting over several years. His calcium had remained slightly elevated and was 2.70 millimoles per litre at referral (normal 2.15 - 2.65). Prolactin was 617 micrograms per litre (normal up to 425) and gastrin 400 picomo...