NETWise

Understanding the Evolution of Neuroendocrine Cancer In medicine, there’s an old saying: “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” It’s a reminder to look for the most common explanation first. But for people living with neuroendocrine cancer… zebras matter. What happens when a slow-growing tumor begins behaving aggressively? When a diagnosis evolves over time? Or when the biology of a...

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, one of the first questions is simple: What happens next? But for many, that question doesn’t come with a clear answer. Instead, it opens the door to something much harder to navigate—uncertainty. In this episode of NETWise, host Jessica Thomas explores what it means to live in that space of the unknown. From the shock of diagnosis to the ongoing reality of tr...

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, one of the first questions is simple — what exactly is it? The answer begins with better understanding pathology. In this episode of NETWise, we examine the central role pathology plays in the diagnosis and management of neuroendocrine cancers — from initial biopsy through classification, grading, and treatment decision-making. Drawing on insights from leadin...

Over the past several decades, neuroendocrine cancer diagnoses have increased significantly—raising an important question: Are these cancers becoming more common, or are we simply getting better at finding them? In this episode of NETWise, leading clinicians, researchers, and a patient share what the data—and real-world experience—reveal about this trend. Drawing on insights from global experts an...

As we turn the page on a new year, the neuroendocrine cancer community isn’t just reflecting on progress—we’re looking ahead. This episode of NETWise explores where the field is going next, and what that future means for patients, caregivers, and clinicians alike. Recorded in connection with the 2025 NETRF Neuroendocrine Cancer Research Symposium, this conversation brings together researchers, phy...

Research has been at the heart of NETRF’s mission for 20 years—and patients are the reason that work matters. Every study we fund is designed to move the field forward and improve how people with neuroendocrine cancer live, feel, and are treated. In this special episode of NETWise, we’re bringing the 2025 NETRF Neuroendocrine Cancer Research Symposium directly to the patient and caregiver communit...

En este episodio de NETWise, continuamos centrándonos en el carcinoma neuroendocrino, una forma rara y agresiva de cáncer neuroendocrino. Si bien en el episodio anterior exploramos el diagnóstico y el tratamiento, este debate se centra en los desafíos únicos que enfrentan los cuidadores. Cuidar a una persona con carcinoma neuroendocrino puede ser increíblemente intenso debido a la rápida progresió...

En este episodio de NETWise, profundizamos en uno de los tipos más agresivos de cáncer neuroendocrino: el carcinoma neuroendocrino. Si bien muchos tumores neuroendocrinos son de crecimiento lento y controlables con el tiempo, el carcinoma neuroendocrino es diferente: se desarrolla rápidamente y requiere atención especializada inmediata. Le guiaremos a través de la información esencial sobre el el...

In this episode of NETWise, we continue our focus on neuroendocrine carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of neuroendocrine cancer. While our previous episode explored diagnosis and treatment, this discussion centers on the unique challenges faced by caregivers. Caring for someone with neuroendocrine carcinoma can be incredibly intense due to the cancer’s rapid progression and limited treatment op...

In this episode of NETWise, we’re diving into one of the more aggressive forms of neuroendocrine cancer: neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). While many neuroendocrine tumors are slow-growing and manageable over time, NEC is different—fast-moving and requiring swift, specialized care. We’ll guide you through the essential information about NEC, including: What neuroendocrine carcinoma is and how it dif...

This episode is part of a collaboration with the FlaNET Carcinoid Community, focusing on financial toxicity. We explore some of the major costs that can arise throughout the neuroendocrine cancer journey and share guidance on how to find helpful resources. NET specialists included in this episode Use our episode infographics to get a visual picture of some of the things we have discussed. Joanna D...

When it comes to PRRT (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy), patients often have big questions and concerns. In this episode, we dive into the most common questions surrounding PRRT and the broader field of radiopharmaceutical treatments for neuroendocrine cancer. This is an exciting field as there is much more research being done into radiopharmaceuticals for neuroendocrine cancer. Tune in as w...

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a hot topic, making its way into everyday conversations and industries worldwide. While AI technologies have been around for years, recent advancements are accelerating their impact—especially in healthcare. From improving cancer research to enhancing diagnosis and treatment, AI is reshaping the future of medicine. In this episode of NETWise, we dive into ho...

Happiness is something that can be difficult to find in life, no matter what. Having an uncommon cancer can make it infinitely harder. In this episode of NETWise, we’re going to talk about what happiness means, and how cancer can affect the way we think about it. We’ll also talk about the things we all can do to be more resilient. NET specialists included in this episode Use our episod...

Research is at the very core of what we do at NETRF. We believe it is the key to discovering cures and more effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancers. In this episode of NETWise, we will bring you into one of our most exciting yearly events: NETRF’s 2024 Neuroendocrine Cancer Research Symposium. You will hear ways the needle has been pushed in each area of research in the past year. We&#8217...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the symptoms caused by functional neuroendocrine tumors (NENs) and, more importantly, how to effectively manage them. Whether you’re navigating symptomatic NETs yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation will arm you with fresh insights and practical tools to take control. This is a revamped and enriched update of an episode originally released...

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about immunotherapy, which has transformed treatment for patients with some kinds of cancer. So far, patients with NETs and NECs have largely been excluded from these developments. But there’s hope that the benefits of immunotherapy could one day extend to NENs. In this episode of NETWise, we’re going to explore current research into immunotherapy, and what it mi...

Whether or not a patient has access to care is one of the most important factors in how their cancer journey plays out. It is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms. And when you live in a rural place, that access can be complicated. We often talk about how important it is to seek out specialized care for NENs – but we don’t often talk about how challengin...

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) can arise in many locations throughout the body; they can grow rapidly; and they can occur under unique circumstances. In this episode of NETWise, we talk through some of the more uncommon locations – and situations – where neuroendocrine neoplasms arise. This episode is devoted to some of those more uncommon situations. Thank you to the NET specialists who helped w...

If you’re new to this show, welcome. You’re in the right place.  Maybe you’ve been recently diagnosed, or maybe you’re a longtime patient. Maybe someone you care about has neuroendocrine cancer. In any case, you probably have questions. What exactly is this disease? What is it doing in your body right now? And what should you be doing about it? This series will help you find answers to those quest...

In the past few months, there’s been a lot of buzz in the NET community about histotripsy. This newly-approved procedure holds a lot of promise for treating NETs, and may prove to be even more exciting in the future. In this episode of NETwise, we’re going to tell you everything we know about this new treatment: how it works, how it came to be, and what it means for NET patients.  Thank you to Mar...

In this episode of NETWise, we talk about the experiences of young people living with NETs. This is an update to an episode that was originally published in 2020. A special thank you to  Dr. Aman Chauhan, a medical oncologist who leads the University of Miami Neuroendocrine Cancer Program and Dr. Jaydira Del Rivero, a medical oncologist and a board-certified endocrinologist at the National In...

When one is diagnosed with an illness, like NETs, mortality can come to the forefront. Even if your NET journey presents a trajectory of being chronic and is stable, it is not uncommon to have thoughts about disease progression and mortality.  There is also a lot of stigma and discomfort in talking about end of life. The complex nature of neuroendocrine cancer and the variability in its progressio...

Some of the rarest, most complex, and difficult NETs are known as pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. This is an updated version of an episode that first aired in 2021. A special thank you to Dr. Erik Mittra Chief of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging at Oregon Health and Science University for his expert assistance with this episode update. This episode update addresses some changes in trea...

Research is at the very core of what we do at NETRF. We believe it is the key to discovering cures and more effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancers. In this episode of NETWise, we share some of the most important developments in NET research that happened in 2023,  and look back on the progress made in the past year. Lastly,  we’ll look ahead to new developments on the horizon.    NET expe...