Terms Describing Neuroendocrine Cancer

Tumors that occur in this disease all come from hormone-producing cells. There are many types of these cells making different hormones, and they are in many different parts of the body. What we know about this disease, and the words used to describe it, continues to change over time. An older term for these tumors which is still being used is carcinoid, or cancer-like, but all tumors in this disease are now understood to be cancer. They can and do spread to other parts of the body after starting in one place. “Tumor” and “lesion” are basically the same thing: an abnormal growth of cells in your body.

NEN: Neuroendocrine Neoplasm is an umbrella term that medical professionals may use to refer to these kinds of tumors.

NET: Neuroendocrine Tumor is the term generally used to refer to the most common form of these tumors.

NEC: Neuroendocrine Carcinoma refers to a more aggressive (it spreads faster) and more harmful version of the disease.