Review of Treatment Options of Psychiatric Symptoms in a Case of Functional Neuroendocrine Tumor

Prajjita Sarma Bardoloi

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells in the body and are found in the gastrointestinal tract, and less commonly pancreas, lungs, thymus and thyroid C-cells. There has been a recent increase in the prevalence of the NETs, which is attributed to better diagnostic procedures. NETs were thought to be slow growing benign tumors in the past but almost all NETs are now considered to have malignant potential. These tumors cause systemic symptoms by releasing vasoactive substances to the bloodstream and are often associated with psychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety or psychosis. Treating such individuals would require multidisciplinary team approach due to the complexity of the illness. The purpose of this article is to review the various aspects of this illness and challenges of treating the associated psychiatric symptoms.