EPISODE 47: SPOTLIGHT ON ENDOCRINOLOGY

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ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Every provider on a multidisciplinary neuroendocrine cancer (NET) team brings a distinct and valuable perspective. In this episode, UCLA endocrinologist Dr. Run Yu sheds light on the unique role of the endocrinologist. He explains what endocrinology is, which types of NETs may require an endocrinologist's care, and how endocrine issues intersect with NET management. Dr. Yu also explores the “endocrine” side of neuroendocrine—discussing key concerns related to diabetes, thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenals.

MEET DR. RUN YU

Run Yu, MD, PhD, received his MD degree from Peking Union Medical College in Beijing and his PhD degree in pharmacology from University of Rochester in New York. Dr. Yu completed an endocrine research fellowship, an internal medicine residency, and a clinical endocrinology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Yu’s clinical and research interests include diabetes, thyroid, and endocrine tumors and syndromes. Dr. Yu enjoys describing novel clinical findings in endocrinology.

TOP TEN QUESTIONS:

1. What is an endocrinologist? What training is involved? 

   
   

2. Since there is “endocrine” in neuroendocrine, would NET patients need to see an endocrinologist? When should one see an endocrinologist? 

   1. What is your role with your medical team? 

   2. How is an endocrinologist different from a medical oncologist?

   3. If someone with neuroendocrine cancer needs to see an endocrinologist, does that person need to specialize in neuroendocrine cancer?

      
      

3. If someone sees both an endocrinologist and a medical oncologist, what do you do and what does the medical oncologist do? How are treatment decisions made or coordinated? (Who is the “quarterback?”)

4. Who orders the somatostatin injections? Are they done through the oncologist or endocrinologist? What if I need something else to control my neuroendocrine cancer symptoms?

5. What are hormonal issues? How do I know if my neuroendocrine tumor produces hormones? 

6.  What hormone tests do you check? 

7. What tumor markers do you check? How do you interpret them?

8. When might endocrine issues arise with neuroendocrine cancer?

1. Thyroid

2. Parathyroid

3. Adrenal

   
   

9. How do hyperglycemia and diabetes issues relate to neuroendocrine cancer?

1. What is hyperglycemia, pre-diabetes and diabetes?

2. Is diabetes inevitable with NET? 

3. Is diabetes inevitable with somatostatin analogue therapy?

4. Does metformin potentially slow down NET tumor growth?

5. What monitoring do you recommend?

   
   

10. When does one encounter hypoglycemia with neuroendocrine cancer?

1. What is insulinoma? What is the treatment?

BONUS: What is on the horizon for neuroendocrine cancer that you’re most optimistic about?

RESOURCES

DISCLAIMER

The Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation Podcasts are created for educational purposes only and do not substitute for medical advice. The views shared in this Podcast are the personal opinions of the experts and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation. Please contact your medical team with questions or concerns about your individual care or treatment.

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