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Medical Center – University of Freiburg Strengthens Care for This Rare Form of Cancer / Interdisciplinary Care for Patients

The Medical Center – University of Freiburg has been certified for the first time as a “Center of Excellence” by the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS). The professional association recognizes specialized centers that treat rare tumor diseases in accordance with established quality standards. Neuroendocrine tumors are rare cancers that can arise from hormone-producing cells. They frequently occur in the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, or the lungs.

“This certification confirms our multidisciplinary care for patients with this rare form of cancer,” says Center Director Prof. Dr. Michael Quante, senior physician at the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. “The course of the disease can vary greatly. That is why it is important to plan diagnostics, therapy, and follow-up care individually and to support patients over the long term.”

Individualized Therapy by a Specialized Team

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare tumors that arise from specialized cells in the body. These so-called neuroendocrine cells are found in the stomach, intestines, pancreas, or lungs, among other places. They produce hormones and help regulate bodily functions.

The course of the disease can vary greatly. Some tumors grow slowly over many years, while others are more aggressive. Symptoms often do not appear until late in the disease and can be nonspecific, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, or hormone-related symptoms like hot flashes.

Treatment depends on where the tumor is located, how fast it is growing, whether it has spread, and whether it produces hormones. Options include surgery, drug therapies, chemotherapy, targeted radiation therapy, or interventional procedures. At the Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors within the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg, specialists from various fields collaborate to determine the best treatment. These fields include internal medicine, oncology, surgery, radiology, nuclear medicine, and endocrinology.

Further information: Neuroendocrine Tumors | Medical Center – University of Freiburg