Dr. Richard R.P. Warner

Dr. Richard R.P. Warner, a pioneering physician, global authority on neuroendocrine cancer, and steadfast advocate for patients, passed away at the age of 97 on June 15, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary era in neuroendocrine oncology—one that he helped define and elevate through a lifetime of groundbreaking research, compassionate care, and visionary leadership.

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Dr. Warner’s legacy is vast, stretching from early discoveries in carcinoid syndrome to the global standards of care used today. While serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force medical corps from 1955 - 1957, he identified the first two known cases of carcinoid syndrome caused by lung tumors—an unprecedented finding that helped define a new class of neuroendocrine cancers (Neuroendocrine Tumors or NETs) and fueled future advances in diagnostics and treatment.

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A gifted scholar, Dr. Warner graduated from Horace Mann School at age 15, earned his MD from the University of Cincinnati, and completed training in internal medicine and gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Hospital, followed by an NIH research fellowship. In 1963, he joined the Mount Sinai faculty, and in 1968, he founded the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation (CCF) to advance awareness and research for NETs, a field then largely unknown.

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Dr. Warner’s clinical and academic impact continued to grow throughout his long career. In 2006, he was a founding member of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS). A year later, he was appointed Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he led the Center for Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors and established the Serotonin Research Laboratory. Under his direction, the center became a nationally recognized hub for excellence in diagnosis, treatment, and research. His pioneering work in therapies like PRRT, imaging advancements, and biomarker testing transformed patient care and cemented his legacy as a visionary in the field.

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Among Dr. Warner’s many groundbreaking contributions:

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• He pioneered the use of somatostatin analogs to control symptoms and slow tumor growth.

• He was instrumental in introducing Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) to the U.S. long before it became widely available.

• He helped develop and validate imaging techniques such as octreotide scans and Ga-68 PET.

• He refined laboratory testing, including the use of 5-HIAA for diagnosis and monitoring of carcinoid syndrome.

• He authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, clinical reviews, and textbook chapters.

 

But Dr. Warner’s influence extended far beyond academic and clinical achievements. He was beloved by patients for his ability to explain complex conditions with clarity and kindness, and for always making time to listen. For many, seeing Dr. Warner was the first time they felt truly seen—by a doctor who not only understood their rare condition but cared deeply about their quality of life.

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He also played a vital role in mentoring generations of physicians, fostering a new wave of clinicians who continue to approach NETs with the empathy and scientific rigor he championed.

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As a global thought leader, Dr. Warner was a sought-after speaker and educator, presenting at major conferences such as the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS), and countless medical forums where he shared insights drawn from decades of front-line care.

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In 2009, Dr. Warner announced the appointment of his son, Keith R.P. Warner, as Chief Executive Officer of the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation (CCF). In March 2025, the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation announced its partnership with the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation, which began to take the lead on CCF’s programs. 

Even in his later years, Dr. Warner remained deeply involved in the community he helped build—speaking directly to patients, supporting clinical trials, and always serving as a bridge between science and the human experience.

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His legacy is profound: more informed patients, better treatments, earlier diagnoses, longer survivals, and most of all—more hope that all cancer will eventually be conquered. 

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Though Dr. Warner is no longer with us, his life’s work continues in every improved outcome, every empowered patient, and every step forward in neuroendocrine cancer care.