Neuroendocrine tumours of the oesophagus Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Neuroendocrine Tumours of The Oesophagus Overview NETs of the oesophagus are rare but can occur in both the upper and lower portions. They are typically non-functional (i.e., they do not produce hormones that cause symptoms), although in some cases, they can produce serotonin or other substances. Symptoms Patients with oesophageal NETs may present with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), chest pain, weight loss, or gastrointestinal bleeding if the tumour causes ulceration. Diagnosis Diagnosis is typically made via endoscopy and biopsy. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) may also be helpful to assess tumour depth and local invasion. Treatment Treatment usually involves surgical resection if the tumour is localised. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) may be options for smaller, superficial tumours. For more advanced disease, chemotherapy or somatostatin analogues (like octreotide) may be used.