Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a heterogenous group of malignancies that frequently metastasise to other organs. Both breast cancer and NETs have a predilection for liver, lymphatic and bone metastases. We report the investigations and management of a patient with concurrent small bowel NET and breast cancer.Case: 66 year-old female. Presented with 2 years of abdominal pain, diarrhea and flushing. Octreoti...

Introduction: The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented. Specific recommendations for the management of neuroendocrine disorders in the pandemic were rapidly released by Endocrine experts. To comply with COVID rules, NET patients, due to attend the endocrine unit in March 2020 for Somatostatin analogue therapy, were rapidly identified. 25 vulnerable patients had urgent domiciliary administration arranged. Other patients were taught to self-inject. Postal surveys wer...

Introduction: NETs are regarded as rare endocrine malignancies, which often present late. The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected this and patient care. The impact will have been felt in health service delivery and patient experiences. To understand NET patient perspectives and optimise care, we conducted a survey to review patient perception of: telemedicine-based care, delays to imaging, treatment, and the impact of COVID-19.Method: 70 NET patients tre...

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the delivery of health services. Here we review the patient perspective, on rapid changes in treatment delivery of testosterone preparations instituted in the first wave of the pandemic.Methods: 49 hypogonadal male patients were identified as attenders to the Endocrine unit for Nebido™ injection. They were temporarily switched to testosterone gel to rapidly comply with COVID rules. 8 weeks...

Choroidal metastases were first reported by Perls in 1872. The choroid is the most common ocular site for metastatic disease due to the abundant blood supply. Bilateral lesions are commonly associated with breast carcinoma (40–47%) and unilateral with lung (21–29%). Treatment frequently depends on the patient status but includes observation, systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, plaque therapy, or photodynamic therapy. Neuroendocrine tu...

Ectopic insulin secreting tumours are rare and infrequent. Presentation can be with recurrent or constant hypoglycaemia often in older patients with advanced cancer. The mechanism is through: insulin or insulin-like activity (IGF-2)(often termed non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia), reduced gluconeogenesis, disruption of glucagon metabolism, or utilisation of glucose by the tumour. Neuroendocrine tumours are recognised as having hypogly...

Ectopic insulin secreting tumours are rare and infrequent. Presentation can be with recurrent or constant hypoglycaemia often in older patients with advanced cancer. The mechanism is through: insulin or insulin-like activity (IGF-2)(often termed non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia), reduced gluconeogenesis, disruption of glucagon metabolism, or utilisation of glucose by the tumour. Neuroendocrine tumours are recognised as having hypogly...

Introduction: In patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) somatostatin analogues are used to control symptoms in patients with functioning tumours and as antiproliferative agents in those with non-functioning tumours. During COVID-19, the ‘Sandostatin Your Choice’ service was terminated by Novartis, removing home care nurses from administering the analogue in patients’ homes. The first generic version of depot octreotide was Olatuton® produced by Teva, a...

Background: Assessment of psychological burden of disease forms one criterion for accreditation of a cancer specialist center. Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), a validated self-report ultra-short questionnaire was used to assess anxiety and depression level in patients with GEP NETs, attending the clinics at an ENETS Centre of Excellence.Methods: PHQ-4 was completed during routine outpatient visits over a three month period by 48 patients, who wer...

Introduction: Orbital metastases from Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are reported to be very rare, and can be the primary presentation or become evident up to 20 years after diagnosis. We report a series presented in the NET MDT, where ocular metastasis occurred.Case series: A 69-yr-old woman presented with blurred vision, pain and perception of a lump around the left eye. MRI showed a lacrimal gland mass within the orbit. Excision biopsy revealed a TTF1-p...