Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy

The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore is led by medical oncologist Dr. Sandy Kotiah. The Center provides a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, management and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors, also called NETs.

What are Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)?

Neuroendocrine cells secrete hormones that regulate the nervous and endocrine systems. Neuroendocrine cells can be found throughout the body in the appendix, brain, lungs, ovaries, pancreas, rectum, small intestine and thyroid. The majority of neuroendocrine tumors start in the digestive tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines), because there are more neuroendocrine cells there than any other area of the body. NETs are generally slow growing and can sometimes produce excess hormones. There are also fast growing and aggressive neuroendocrine tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare (considered an "orphan disease"). Patients who are diagnosed with NETs in the early stages of the disease have a better chance of beating or managing the disease. This is why it is best to find a neuroendocrine specialist for early treatment options.

Mercy's Neuroendocrine Tumor Doctors

The doctors of The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy are a dedicated team of specialists who are knowledgeable, highly trained and committed to providing the best treatment options available to patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

At Mercy, our medical specialists meet regularly as a team to review cases and determine the best treatment options for our patients. Our team of specialists has treated hundreds of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

In addition to active participation in leading neuroendocrine tumor medical groups as well as clinical trials, our doctors are sought out as lecturers for major medical conferences because of their extensive knowledge of NETs, including the establishment of a database to assist with conducting vital research on neuroendocrine tumors.

Choosing the Best Neuroendocrine Tumor Center  

Patients often turn to The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy because the physician expertise opens the door for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of NETs. Frequently, neuroendocrine tumors present symptoms that are associated with less serious conditions or symptoms that mock other disorders. As a result, it takes the keen eye of a neuroendocrine specialist to accurately diagnose the situation and avoid the chance of misdiagnosis – a common problem for some patients who do not get to a neuroendocrine specialist until the disease has advanced to late stages of the disorder.

Understanding the psychological impact of the disease is a critical component to treating the whole disease. The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy includes our comprehensive network of health care professionals to complement the clinical work of our doctors. Mercy has a clinical nurse navigator who facilitates interaction between patients and medical specialists and other clinical staff as well as guides patients and their caregivers, answering questions and providing support through each phase of treatment and beyond. Our social workers and nutritionists also provide key support throughout the healing process. Patients also have the option to attend the patient and caregiver support group of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program - ChesaNETs.

Treatment for Neuroendocrine Tumors

The physicians of The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy create individualized care treatment plans. These plans are tailored for a cure, slowing disease progression and/or providing symptomatic relief as appropriate with the cancer stage.

General treatment options for neuroendocrine tumors include surgery, radiation therapy, liver directed therapies such as chemoembolization, hormonal agents and chemotherapy. The Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art treatment, including:

• Surgery - traditional, minimally invasive laparoscopic, robotic, and radioguided techniques
• Chemoembolization - liver directed therapy
• Drug therapy - somatostatin analogues, targeted drugs, chemotherapy
• Nutritional modification - for symptom management
• Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) or targeted radiation

The physicians of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Center at Mercy work collaboratively with physicians from a wide variety of Centers of Excellence at Mercy to help assure patients get the best treatment options possible to meet their specific diagnosis.