Surgery for NETs

Surgery to remove the tumour (resection)

Resection means surgery to remove the tumour. It is the most common treatment for NETs.

If the NET has not spread (local tumour) it can often be successfully treated by surgery. You might have radiotherapy or chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the cancer so it's easier to remove.

The surgeon will remove the tumour and some healthy tissue around the tumour, to reduce the risk of any cancer cells being left behind. This might mean removing part of an organ containing the tumour or the whole organ.

If the cancer has not spread and surgery is successful, you may not need any more treatment.

We have more information on pancreas, stomach and lung surgery.

Surgery to remove lymph nodes (lymph node dissection)

If cancer spreads, it often spreads to lymph nodes first. Your surgeon may remove nearby lymph nodes at the same time as surgery to remove the tumour.

Surgery to improve your symptoms (palliative surgery)

You may have surgery to control your symptoms and help you to feel better. For example:

Cytoreductive surgery (debulking) – removing a large amount of the cancer or as much cancer as possible.
Bypass surgery – making a passage around a blocked area to improve symptoms.
Stenting – putting a metal mesh tube inside an organ or duct to stop a blockage causing symptoms.

Know what to expect

It’s important to know how the surgery might affect you afterwards.
Depending on where you’re having surgery you might have short-term effects while you are recovering. Surgery can also result in long-term or permanent changes. For example, eating difficulties, changes to how youe body looks, changes to your sex life or to how you go to the toilet. Ask your consultant about this.

After surgery

Most people come through their surgery without serious problems, but surgery always involves some potential risks. Your surgeon will talk to you about any possible risks before your surgery. If you do have complications, they can be treated by your surgeon.

You can also talk to our cancer nurses. We have more about managing side-effects such as fatigue, eating difficulties and weight loss