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Stanford Health Care

Conditions Treated

Our Approach to Neuroendocrine Tumor Surgery

Surgery is the primary treatment for most neuroendocrine tumors. At Stanford’s Endocrine Tumor Program, you have access to some of the world’s most experienced neuroendocrine surgeons. Our team uses the latest in advanced imaging, genetics, and diagnostic tools to collaboratively evaluate your case and work with you to design the most appropriate treatment plan specifically for you.

Our surgeons offer extensive experience in complex procedures. We perform open and minimally invasive surgical removal of neuroendocrine tumors, including reoperations for tumors that come back. We frequently combine medical therapy or radioisotope therapy before or after surgery for the best results.

What We Offer You for Neuroendocrine Tumor Surgery

  • Internationally recognized expertise in all surgical techniques for neuroendocrine tumors, including complex cases and recurrent tumors.
  • Advanced imaging for surgical planning, from experts who helped develop Gallium 68 dotatate PET scans to visualize a tumor and plan the approach. 
  • Collaborative care with guidance from a tumor board that includes experts in endocrinology, medical oncology, endocrine genetics, radiology, imaging, and pathology.
  • Genetic testing to better understand the risk of developing other tumors and help predict the natural history (expected growth) of existing tumors.
  • Clinical research program that has tested and developed new treatments now being used as standard care for NETs.
  • Personalized pre- and post-surgical support throughout survivorship, including customized dietary guidance for living with gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

What is Neuroendocine Tumor Surgery?

Conditions Treated With Neuroendocrine Tumor Surgery

At Stanford, we surgically remove all types of neuroendocrine tumors, using minimally invasive, endoscopic, or open approaches. Our experienced surgeons use surgery to treat:

  • Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs)
  • Gastrinoma, tumors in the cells that produce the digestive hormone gastrin
  • Glucagonoma, tumors that affect blood sugar control in the bloodstream
  • Insulinoma, tumors that affect insulin production
  • VIPoma, tumors that affect vasoactive intestinal peptides
  • Somatostatinoma, tumors that affect somatostatin-producing cells that balance the body’s hormone levels
  • Hormonally inactive tumors, which don’t produce hormones 
  • Small intestine neuroendocrine tumor, also called small bowel neuroendocrine tumor or carcinoid
  • Gastric carcinoid, a NET that forms in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Neuroendocrine tumors of unknown primary site
  • Metastatic disease 
  • Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors
  • Colon and rectal carcinoids
  • Other types of neuroendocrine tumors
  • Neuroendocrine lung cancer
  • Merkel cell cancer
  • Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma
     

Our Clinics

Stanford Cancer Center Palo Alto

At Stanford, you’ll find some of the nation’s most experienced neuroendocrine tumor surgeons, in one clinic dedicated to endocrine tumor care. With comprehensive evaluations and second opinions, our experts provide the most advanced care for the best possible outcomes.

Stanford Cancer Center Palo Alto
875 Blake Wilbur Drive
 Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-498-6000 Getting Here
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Make An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-498-6000