The symptoms of GEP-NETs are wide ranging, and may vary from person to person. They also tend to develop very gradually over time. It all depends on:

WHERE the tumour is (e.g. in the pancreas or the small intestine)1

What the tumour is DOING (is it sending out hormones into the bloodstream or is it just sitting there?)1

General symptoms:1

• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss

Symptoms related to where the tumour is:1

• Persistent pain in a specific area
• Thickening or a lump in any part of the body
• Nausea or vomiting
• A cough or hoarseness that does not go away
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Unusual bleeding or discharge

Symptoms related to the release of hormones (depending on where the tumour is):1

• Diarrhoea
• Facial flushing, usually without sweating
• Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)
• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• Gastric ulcer disease
• Skin rash
• Confusion
• Anxiety

Some people also experience nutritional deficiencies.

Because symptoms are so varied, and can also be put down to lots of other health conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose GEP-NETs.2,3

Tumours can appear anywhere in the body and can be any size