Nutritional management of a patient with a small bowel neuroendocrine tumour and obstruction: a South African case study

Abstract

Small bowel neuroendocrine tumours (SBNETs) arise from enterochromaffin cells, most commonly in the terminal ileum. Functional tumours may secrete hormones, which can lead to carcinoid syndrome, whereas non-functional tumours often present later with symptoms of mechanical obstruction. Malnutrition is common in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) which includes SBNETs, and is worsened by tumour burden, medical therapies, hormonal activity, surgery, and postoperative catabolism.