I know a lady that has been diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bowel. The doctors here are saying it is rare and we have been struggling to get information about this. Can you help us please?
You're right. Finding information about neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bowel is difficult, probably because it only accounts for about four percent of all colorectal cancers.
The most common age for someone diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bowel is 65. The tumors are found more often in males than females and seem to favor the right (ascending) colon.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma is an aggressive form of cancer that is usually diagnosed at more advanced stages. This in turn, generally results in a poor prognosis. Research published in the journal Diseases of the Colon and Rectum determined survival rates for 39 people diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bowel. Of these 39 people, 58% were alive six months after their diagnosis, 15% were alive three years after their diagnosis, and 6% were alive five years after their diagnosis.
The study found that survival rates for neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bowel correlated with tumor stage but not with other things like age, sex, or tumor location. In the study I just mentioned, one individual had stage 1 cancer and seven people had stage 2 cancer. In everyone else, the neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed at stage 3 or 4. In general, the later colorectal cancer is discovered, the harder it is to treat.
I'm sorry I can't provide better news. I suggest speaking with your friend's doctor about neuroendocrine carcinoma because he/she will certainly know more about it than I do and should be able to directly address your concerns. Studies provide generalizations about survival rates, but each case of cancer is unique. Your friend's doctor should be able to provide specific information to your friend based on her individual diagnosis.
You may also want to take a look at the Colorectal Cancer Reading List. It's comprised of books I would recommend to a friend or loved one coping with colorectal cancer. Please keep me updated on your friend's progress. I wish her the best of luck. She is fortunate to have a friend like you who'll explore all avenues for information.
Please remember that I am not a medical professional. I offer my input as a neighbor, a friend, sitting at the kitchen table talking about what's on your mind and trying to help if I can. This is not medical advice. Please don't consider it medical advice or pass it on to others as medical advice. Thanks.
Sources:
- Onoda, Naoyoshi and Kobayashi, Hikaru. "Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Sigmoid Colon: Report of a Case." Surgery Today 29.10 (Sep. 1999): 1079-1082. PubMed. 24 Jun. 2006 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10554334&dopt=Abstract].
- Saclarieds, T.J. and Szeluga, D. "Neuroendocrine Cancers of the Colon and Rectum. Results of a Ten-Year Experience." Diseases of the Colon and Rectum 37.7 (Jul. 1994): 635-642. PubMed. 24 Jun. 2006 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=8026228&dopt=Citation].
