At 67 years old I was diagnosed with NETS (Neuro Endocrine Carcinoid Tumors). I had surgery. Two small tumors were discovered in the back of the abdominal cavity and one was found in the gall bladder during pathology. I have had a third of my small intestine and a 3rd of my large intestine removed starting at and including the appendix. I have also had my gall bladder removed and hundreds of intestinal lymph nodes and much connective tissue related to supporting the intestine. No other tumors were found. I have recovered from the surgery and am considered cancer free and a surgical success. I take medication daily to control my diarrhea. Sometimes I am anemic and require Iron infusion. I am now 71 years old. What prognosis can you make about my future? What kind of food should I be eating? What supplements should I be taking?
Your long-term prognosis is excellent, as you are currently cancer-free and your surgery is considered a complete surgical success four years after the removal of your gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). According to statistical data compiled by the Mayo Clinic, completely resected gastrointestinal NETs carry highly favorable long-term survival outcomes, meaning your primary medical focus moving forward is managing the structural changes to your digestive tract and optimizing your nutritional absorption. [1]
High long-term survival rates for fully cleared, well-differentiated tumors.
Surveillance protocols involving periodic imaging and blood markers typically continue for up to 10 years.
Overall life expectancy frequently approaches normal ranges for your age bracket once cleared of active disease. [1, 2, 3]
Because a portion of your small and large intestine (the ileocecal valve region) and your gallbladder were removed, your digestive transit time is much faster, and bile flows directly into your intestines. According to dietary guidance from the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF), adjusting how you eat can significantly minimize chronic diarrhea: [4, 5, 6]
Small, frequent meals: Eat 6 to 8 small portions daily to prevent bowel overload.
Separate liquids and solids: Drink fluids 30 to 45 minutes apart from meals to slow transit time.
Low-fat selection: Limit fried or greasy foods to prevent worsening bile-induced diarrhea.
Soluble fiber: Use oatmeal, bananas, applesauce, and white rice to absorb water and firm stool.
Lactose reduction: Avoid heavy dairy products if they trigger gas or excess fluid secretion.
Lean protein: Prioritize chicken, fish, eggs, and tofu to maintain muscle mass and tissue health. [4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
An intestinal resection directly impacts your ability to absorb vitamins and minerals, which explains your recurring anemia. Resources from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation emphasize that targeted supplementation is essential after an ileocecal resection: [12]
Vitamin B12: Mandatory lifelong injections or sublingual doses, as the removed terminal ileum is the only site where B12 is absorbed.
Iron: Regular monitoring and continued use of infusions or tolerated supplements to manage chronic anemia.
Fat-soluble vitamins: Monitored supplementation of vitamins A, D, E, and K due to altered fat absorption.
Calcium: Extra support for bone health, as fat malabsorption can bind calcium and prevent its uptake.
Electrolytes: Guarded replenishment of magnesium and potassium, which are rapidly lost through chronic diarrhea. [12, 13, 14, 15, 16]
To help tailor this information further to your routine, would you like me to:
Provide a sample daily meal plan based on these gastrointestinal guidelines?
Explain bile acid malabsorption and the prescription medications that treat it?
Detail what typical oncology surveillance screening looks like for NET survivors?
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org
[2] https://neuroendocrine.org.au
[5] https://my.clevelandclinic.org
[6] https://phoenix-health.co.uk
[8] https://www.albertahealthservices.ca
[9] https://crohnsandcolitis.ca
[10] https://int.livhospital.com
[11] https://oley.org
[12] https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org
[13] https://int.livhospital.com
[15] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
[16] https://colorectalcancer.org