Endocrine Abstracts

Well differentiated lung neuroendocrine tumours (WD lung NETS) are common NETs accounting for 25% of all the presenting neuroendocrine tumours. However, they are classified differently compared to GEP NETs, their mode of presentation; pattern of metastatic spread; associated syndromes, and how they respond to therapies are different from GEP NETs. They even present to a different group of specialists (respiratory physicians and thoracic surgeons) whereas the GEP NET patients traditionally present to GI specialists (gastroenterologists and GI surgeons) who are traditionally more closely aligned to the ‘NET team’. It is therefore not unsurprising that the management pathways for WD lung NETs has historically developed differently from the GEP NETs. Literature and surveys indicate the there is a need to improve the WD Lung NET management pathway which has not developed at the same pace as that for GEP NETs. This session focuses on many aspects of the diagnostic and treatment pathway for WD Lung NETs and also examines how the follow up part of the general pathway is perceived by important members of the pathway: the respiratory physician, the thoracic surgeon and the NET physician.