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NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS: WHICH ORGANS ARE AFFECTED - CUTTING-EDGE DIAGNOSTICS - SURGERY AND THERAPIES AVAILABLE TODAY PROF GUIDO RINDI, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of rare tumors, also called NET, that originate from cells of the neuroendocrine system, a system made up of cells that have both characteristics of endocrine cells, which produce hormones, and characteristics of nerve cells. Neuroendocrine cells are present throughout the body and perform specific functions in different organs, such as regulating the flow of air in the lungs, the speed of transit of food in the gastrointestinal tract or the release of digestive juices in the intestine. For this reason, neuroendocrine tumors can affect very different organs such as the intestine, pancreas, lungs, thyroid, thymus or adrenal glands. We talk about it with Prof. Guido Rindi, Director of the Complex Operating Unit of Pathological Anatomy of the Head and Neck, Lung and Endocrine System. Among the topics: an identikit of neuroendocrine tumors, of the various types and risk factors. Which organs can be affected (lungs, organs of the gastrointestinal system...) The symptoms depend on the organ involved or are there symptoms that in some way unite them all? Technology has become the protagonist of the diagnostic phase, what are the most important instrumental investigations today? The role of pathological anatomy both in the initial diagnosis phase and in follow-up and monitoring The role of surgery and the techniques available today The therapies: over the years there have been many advances in the field of tumor treatment, with increasingly targeted therapies, perhaps targeting genetic mutations, and even in NETs the scenario today offers more therapeutic options The importance of reference centers, with a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach to offer each patient the best path for global care