Neuroendocrine cancer (including neuroendocrine tumors/NET or neuroendocrine carcinoma/NEC) can feel isolating. Because the disease is uncommon and often misunderstood, many patients and caregivers spend months or years searching for clear information, experienced providers, and people who truly understand what they are facing. That is why in-person education and connection matters. The 2026 NET Cancer Day Symposium will bring the neuroendocrine cancer community together in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, November 8th, to focus on education, connection, and awareness. This is an opportunity for patients, caregivers, and advocates to interact with healthcare professionals in an intimate forum. You’ll be provided with the rare opportunity to hear directly from clinicians and specialists who understand neuroendocrine cancer and can help patients and caregivers build their knowledge, better understand the disease, learn about current therapies, and gain insight into questions they may want to discuss with their own care teams. This can help you feel more prepared and empowered to tackle your care and navigate complex decisions. The goal is not to replace conversations with your medical team. Instead, educational events can help you become a well-informed partner in those conversations. Education does not only come from the stage. It also comes from conversations in the room. The symposium is intended to create space for connection among patients, caregivers, clinicians, advocates, and supporters. Living with neuroendocrine cancer can bring uncertainty, stress, and emotional challenges. In-person gatherings can help patients and caregivers feel less alone and more connected to a community that understands the realities of neuroendocrine cancer. Hearing from others who are living with neuroendocrine cancer, caring for a loved one, or working to advance the field can offer encouragement, perspective, and a renewed sense of solidarity. “I have been part of the NET community for more than a decade, and some of my most meaningful experiences have come from sitting with the NCF team, exchanging ideas and shaping topics for meetings throughout the years—not only for NET Cancer Day. We do this because we genuinely love the work and care deeply about creating valuable experiences for the NET community. It is especially meaningful to have such an active role in planning and hosting the 2026 NET Cancer Day Symposium, and I am truly looking forward to welcoming everyone for a productive, engaging, and exciting meeting.” - Taymeyah Al-Toubah, Interim NCF Program Director RAISE AWARENESS TOGETHER NET Cancer Day is a global opportunity to increase awareness of neuroendocrine cancer. The 2026 NET Cancer Day Symposium will be part of that broader effort by bringing people together to learn, connect, and help expand understanding of this complex and often misdiagnosed disease. When patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, and supporters gather in person, they help enhance neuroendocrine cancer awareness within your community. JOIN US IN LAS VEGAS The 2026 NET Cancer Day Symposium will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, on Sunday, November 8th, at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, 221 N Rampart Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89145. Whether you are newly diagnosed, have been living with neuroendocrine cancer for years, are caring for a loved one, or want to better understand this disease, the symposium is an opportunity to learn, connect, and take the next step with support. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, we invite you to join us at no cost. Breakfast, lunch and beverages will be provided. Register for this in-person event: NCF.net/events/ncd2026 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Taymeyah Al-Toubah, MPH, CCRP The Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation ("NCF") is grateful to welcome Taymeyah Al-Toubah, MPH, CCRP, in a special support role as the Interim Program Director during the remainder of 2026. Taymeyah will support NCF’s programs and educational efforts from July 1 through December 31, 2026, helping ensure continuity for the patients, caregivers, clinicians, and community members who rely on NCF for trusted education, resources, and connection. This temporary support comes as Lisa Yen, NP, NBC-HWC, NCF’s Director of Programs & Outreach, takes time following the passing of her beloved husband, Tom Bajoras. Taymeyah brings more than a decade of experience in academic medicine, clinical research, oncology, and neuroendocrine tumor research. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Her interest in neuroendocrine tumors began during her MPH thesis, which became one of her first NET publications. From 2018 to 2023, Taymeyah served as the primary neuroendocrine tumor (NET) coordinator at Moffitt Cancer Center, managing clinical trials, leading the GI team, and supporting retrospective and non-interventional research. She later served as Senior Project Manager of the NET program, overseeing protocol development, database creation, manuscript writing, and the curation of a master database of more than 10,000 NET patients. Taymeyah has published more than 45 manuscripts and has presented at both Europeon Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Soceity (NANETS). She serves on the Board of Directors of NANETS and co-founder and medical advisory committee of FLaNET Carcinoid Community, and she continues to mentor students pursuing neuroendocrine tumor research. In 2025, she began medical school in Italy, continuing her path toward becoming a physician-scientist dedicated to advancing care for neuroendocrine cancer patients. We are thankful to Taymeyah for stepping in during this meaningful time and grateful to our staff, Board, volunteers, medical advisors, and community partners for continuing to support NCF’s mission. As always, NCF remains committed to providing trusted education, support, and resources for people impacted by neuroendocrine cancer. If you have any questions, email the NCF team at info@NCF.net. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Team Craig chose the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation (NCF) to support its work on behalf of patients and families affected by neuroendocrine cancer. Team Craig is named in honor of Craig Adams, who lost his battle with a form of neuroendocrine cancer in 2015. His sons, Ben and John Adams, promised to honor his legacy and give back to the community that helped give their family eight extra years with him. What began as a tribute to their father has grown into a powerful tradition: each year, a lacrosse team made up of friends and teammates from across the country competes in the Vail Lacrosse Shootout, united by Craig’s legacy and a shared passion for the game. Team Craig has quickly become one of the top competitors in the tournament, finishing third in 2024 and winning the tournament championship in 2025. In 2026, the team returned to compete again with a renewed mission to raise awareness and funds for families affected by neuroendocrine cancer. This year, Team Craig took that mission one step further by dedicating its efforts to supporting NCF’s work to expand awareness, education, and patient resources for those impacted by this complex and uncommon disease. The effort included a casual community gathering at Ratio Beerworks - OVERLAND in Denver, where supporters came together for live music, refreshments, conversation, and community in support of NCF. Neuroendocrine cancer can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and many patients experience years of misdiagnosis or undiagnosed symptoms. NCF works to change that by providing education and resources for patients and caregivers, increasing awareness and understanding of neuroendocrine cancers, connecting patients to experts and information about treatment options and clinical trials, and supporting a community for people navigating diagnosis and care. As Heather Davis, NCF’s Director of Community Engagement, reflected, navigating a difficult cancer can feel a lot like the unpredictable path of a loose ground ball in lacrosse. You never know exactly which way it will bounce, and the next challenge can come quickly. For many people living with neuroendocrine cancer, that uncertainty is part of daily life. There is often a constant need to adapt, make decisions, overcome obstacles, and prepare for what comes next. In lacrosse, one of the most important skills is cradling the ball: keeping it secure in the pocket of the stick while running, dodging defenders, preparing to pass, or taking a shot. That image feels especially meaningful for the neuroendocrine cancer community. Living with an uncommon cancer requires strategy, skill, focus, and agility. It requires a team that can help protect, guide, and support patients and families as they move through each stage of care. That is why NCF is so grateful to Team Craig, the Adams family, Chase Konkel, and everyone who helped bring this effort to life. Their generosity and commitment are helping NCF “cradle” the neuroendocrine cancer community by supporting those living with this uncommon cancer and helping connect more people to the resources and expertise they need. Although Team Craig did not take home the championship this year, their presence on the field represented something far greater than a final score. They played with purpose, honoring Craig’s memory and continuing a legacy rooted in teamwork, resilience, and care for others. NCF believes it takes a strong team to face cancer and to live well despite it. Team Craig is helping make that possible so that no one has to face neuroendocrine cancer alone. A special shoutout to Bodango for bringing the music and positive energy to the event and helping make the gathering even more memorable. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ben and John Adams, Chase Konkel, the Adams family, donors, supporters, and Team Craig Lacrosse. Your commitment to this community is deeply meaningful, and your support will help NCF continue providing education, connection, and hope to patients and families affected by neuroendocrine cancer.

< Back to the supporters page ABOUT TERSERA TerSera Therapeutics LLC acquires and develops specialty pharmaceutical products with a focus on select therapeutic areas. Our focus is to bring intelligent solutions to prescribers and patients who need better solutions. We deliver a comprehensive set of programs that go beyond the therapy itself in order to provide improved outcomes for patients. Our products make a difference for patients and provide solutions for prescribers. Learn more at www.tersera.com . Talk to a NET nurse about carcinoid syndrome diarrhea. Go to www.enrollxermelo.com . This information is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice or constitute an endorsement by the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation. Talk to your medical team about your individual care and treatment. Confirm Your Visit to the Novartis Virtual Booth! First name Last name Email Submit << Previous Next >>

Find compassionate support and resources for navigating a recent neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis. You're not alone in this journey. Navigating Your Recent Neuroendocrine Cancer Diagnosis PARA ESPAÑOL, HAGA CLIC AQUI You’ve just been told that you have Neuroendocrine Tumor, Neuroendocrine Cancer, or Carcinoid. You may be feeling panic, disbelief, despair or even a sense of relief to finally have a correct diagnosis. After those initial waves subside and you are thinking clearly again, the biggest question on your mind may be – “now what?” One important thing you can do is to take control by becoming your own advocate and leading your health team. Here is a beginner’s guide to NET that provides helpful facts and tips. SEVEN FACTS ABOUT NET 1. Neuroendocrine cancer is also known as neuroendocrine tumor, or NET. 2. Neuroendocrine Cancer is uncommon. Eight in 100,000 people are diagnosed per year in the United States. 3. Neuroendocrine Cancer can affect neuroendocrine cells throughout the body. 4. Neuroendocrine Cancer may be difficult to diagnose. 5. Some (but not all) Neuroendocrine Cancer patients have symptoms from their cancer. 6. The cause of Neuroendocrine Cancer is unknown. 7. Seeking the opinion of a specialist is important for all neuroendocrine cancer patients. 1. Neuroendocrine Cancer is also known as Neuroendocrine Tumor, or NET. It is pronounced NOOR-oh-EN-doh-krin TOO-mer and often abbreviated as NET. Hear the pronunciation . There are many terms or acronyms you may hear. Here are some of them: Neuroendocrine Neoplasm (NEN) is the official medical term often seen in medical literature such as the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of NEN. NEN includes both NET and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (NEC). More aggressive Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (NEC) is treated differently than Neuroendocrine Tumors. Well-Differentiated and Low or Moderate Grade (G1/G2) NET tends to be slow growing, compared to High Grade (G3) NET or NEC which tends to be faster growing and Poorly Differentiated. Carcinoid is an old term meaning “cancer-like” that is falling out of favor because it is not accurate. NET is not cancer-like; it is cancer. Though some are localized (meaning it has not spread from where it originated from), many are malignant (meaning it has spread from where it originated from). You may still hear some physicians refer to NETs that originate from outside the pancreas such as the lung or small intestine as carcinoid tumors. Neuroendocrine Cancer is often used to refer to NENs (NET or NEC) by patient advocacy organizations as it spreads awareness to the fact that NET is a type of cancer and not benign as previously thought. Other terms you might hear refer to the primary tumor site (e.g., PNET or pancreatic NET) or the hormone that the tumor secretes (e.g., Insulinoma or VIPoma). 2. NET is a rare cancer. About 8 in 100,000 people are diagnosed annually in the United States. NET is considered rare by incidence, the number of patients diagnosed per year in the U.S. The prevalence of patients living with NET exceeds those living with stomach and pancreatic adenocarcinoma combined. Both the incidence and prevalence of NET are on the rise. 3. NET can affect neuroendocrine cells throughout the body. These are hormone-producing cells, most commonly found in the gastrointestinal system (stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum), the lung, pancreas or other parts of the body. NET often spreads (or metastasizes) from the primary site of origin to the lymph nodes, liver and bones. The tumors that have spread are called metastases. A Note About Prognosis: A common question we hear is, “How long do I have to live?” It is common for patients to report that their doctor told them that they had only months to live with the recommendation to “get their affairs in order.” In contrast, NET specialists will often say, “We don’t know how long you have.” The more you learn about NET, the more you will learn that prognosis is difficult to predict. NET is unpredictable, and each person’s case is unique, so it is typically difficult to predict a prognosis. Also, many of the statistics you might read are outdated. There have been many recent advances in NET research, which have led to earlier detection and more treatment options. As a result, patients are living longer with the disease. There are many in the NET community living with this disease for over a decade. 4. NET is a cancer that is difficult to diagnose. This is because not everyone with NET is symptomatic. For those who do have symptoms (less than half of all NET patients), these symptoms are vague and include flushing, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, bloating/gas and shortness of breath. 5. Some (but not all) NET patients have symptoms from their cancer. Typically, only those patients who have hormone-producing tumors called functional tumors have symptoms. For example, about 20-30% of people with small bowel (NETs) develop Carcinoid Syndrome (CS) with tumors produce serotonin. 6. The cause is unknown. People often wonder if they might have done something to cause their cancer. The answer is NO. Although there are a few types of NET that have a genetic correlation, most have no known cause. 7. Seeking the opinion of a NET specialist is important for NET patients. When most people are first diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, it is usually not by a NET specialist. Most patients end up seeking a second opinion with a NET expert, which may mean traveling outside of the area in which they live. Because NET is a rare disease, many doctors know little about it or the recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. A NET specialist can help guide your treatment plan. They can collaborate with your multidisciplinary doctors to manage your symptoms, monitor your disease and recommend treatments best suited for you. According to a large-scale survey of NET patients , those who received their care at a NET specialty center felt significantly more satisfied with their medical treatment and more knowledgeable than those who did not visit a NET specialty center. 1. Get organized NET VITALS is an ideal place to start. NET VITALS is a downloadable document to collect and keep the essential information about your specific NET disease. This comprehensive, curated list, contains what you and your healthcare professionals need to know about your neuroendocrine cancer. NET VITALS is a patient-physician communication tool, a “passport,” containing all the vital NET information in one location and simple to bring to your medical appointments. While it is not a medical document, it has been reviewed by NET specialists who agree that completing NET VITALS, as much as possible before their appointment, is helpful. Please note: NET VITALS is intended for informational and educational purposes only. LACNETS does not collect or store your information. It is for your personal use only. NET VITALS Helps: Educate you on what information is crucial to know about your NET disease. You organize, collect and compile this information into one comprehensive document that is easy to share with all healthcare professionals. Prepare you to ask relevant questions of your NET specialist for an optimal visit. Record Keeping Tips: Many people choose a way to organize their information such as a three-ring notebook or file folder. If you keep paper copies of labs, imaging reports, and pathology reports, consider scanning them so you have a digital copy as well. This not only makes your records easier to access, it also ensures that you do not lose your only paper copy! Download the Abridge app to record your healthcare visits and get transcriptions you can reveiw. To obtain second opinions, choosing an electronic system of record keeping on your computer or a cloud service can be helpful if you want to send information electronically. Some people track lab results on a spreadsheet to follow trends. Whatever method you choose, organization is key! You want to know where everything is stored. Information should be easy for you to access and share with your medical team when needed. NET VITALS is an ideal place to keep your vital NET information. After every scan, go to medical records or the film library and ask for a CD of the scan images for your records. We recommend requesting two copies, one for your NET specialist and one for second opinions or other members of your medical team. Never give away your only copy of any CD, report or document. After any biopsy or surgery, ask your doctor for the pathology report. These are often unavailable in your online patient portal, so you may need to request a copy. After any surgery or procedure, ask for the operative report or procedure report. These are often unavailable in your online patient portal, so you may need to request a copy. 2. Educate yourself on the disease: Learn to speak "NET" Watch this short (~5min) “What is NET?”video . It is great to share with family & friends to help them learn and understand more about your cancer. Watch this helpful introduction to NETs presentation by NET expert Dr. Pamela Kunz, as well as the “NETs 101” presentation by Dr. Sandy D. Kotiah, Medical Oncologist at Mercy Medical. This informative presentation, “What to Expect with a NET Expert Consultation” by Dr. Heloisa Soares at Huntsman Cancer Institute. The LACNETS webinar, “Sequencing of Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatments” with Dr. Eric Liu, General Surgeon & Neuroendocrine Specialist at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center. Check out Triage Cancer’s valuable organization resources: “Checklist: Getting Organized.” “Checklist to Avoid Financial Toxicity ” Cancer Rights Guide: “Navigating Employment, Insurance, & Finances” The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is an alliance of the leading cancer centers across the country that develop and publish up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines called NCCN Guidelines . Because these NET guidelines are recognized as the standard in cancer care, it is an essential resource in discussions with your medical team. It is also an excellent reference when dealing with insurance claims. Order your free Neuroendocrine Cancer Guide for patients and families from Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF). Download or request The Healing NET Foundation Navigating the NET Patient Journey peer-to-peer publication for patients and caregivers. Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (CNETS) has a downloadable Reference Guide for Patients and Families. The Global NET Patient Information Pack by the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA) is available for download in 10 languages. Connect with and learn from others who are living with or have been affected by NET. Register for our Weekly Virtual Support Group every Wednesday from 12-1:30 PM Pacific Time. Subscribe to the LACNETS YouTube channel to find over 275 videos on various topics. 3. Find Support Support groups are often a rich source of educational meeting and resources for patients and their families. People often learn much from the experiences of others. Some report finding their NET specialist(s) because of attending a support group. Join our support community . We often hear people say, "I thought I was the only one with the disease." Connecting with others can help you feel less alone. Connect with a mentor. NETCONNECT connects you with another NET patient or caregiver for questions, support and more. 4. Find a NET Specialist Studies show that NET patients who are seen by a multidisciplinary team tend to have better outcomes. Typically, NET centers are able to diagnose and treat NET faster and more accurately. It is best to have a multidisciplinary approach where a team of NET specialists with different areas of expertise get together and review your case. This often takes place at a tumor board where your case is discussed and reviewed by several doctors including medical oncologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, nuclear medicine doctors, and pathologists. Since patients are not allowed to be present, this video of a mock tumor board at a LACNETS conference gives you an idea of what one is like. How to Find a NET Specialist: Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) is a good place to start. Many of the NET specialists (including oncologists, surgeons, endocrinologists, etc.) have been speakers at past NET patient conferences and meetings. Find and watch NET experts from our Video Library . You may find it helpful to “see” the doctor before your appointment. 5. Decide who will be your quarterback Patients often see many doctors with different areas of expertise. Some patients seek opinions from multiple NET experts as well. The important thing is finding a physician who you feel listens to and addresses your concerns, explains things in a way you understand, and provides access to the treatments you need. A collaborative relationship is important, both with you and the rest of your team. Once you have selected your multidisciplinary medical team, decide who will lead and call the shots. 6. Attend a NET patient education conference Learn about upcoming virtual and in-person conferences hosted by LACNETS and the broader NET Community. It is worthwhile to stay connected and interact with NET experts, patients, caregivers and those who serve the NET Community. Click here to read "Why Attend NET Patient Education Conference" 7. Breathe And last but not least, don’t forget to breathe. Stop to reflect and remember the reason we educate ourselves is to LIVE better. For most of us, living with NET is more like running a marathon than a sprint. Some feel a pressure to spend every waking minute learning about the disease so they don’t miss something that could mean the difference between life or death. For the majority of NET patients, that is simply not reality. It is just as important to take care of our emotional, mental and spiritual health as it is our physical health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s a good idea to take a break and do something that is life-giving and unrelated to cancer. Find the presence of mind to enjoy life’s simple pleasures like a walk on the beach, being in nature, gardening, seeing a movie, going to a museum or attending a concert. When you feel rested and ready to resume your education, come back to learn more about NET. It’s amazing how restorative taking just one minute to breathe can be. Click here to read "Breathe" blog post SEVEN TIPS FOR THE NEWLY-DIAGNOSED PATIENT 1. Get organized 2. Educate yourself on the disease: Learn to speak "NET" 3. Find support 4. Find a NET specialist 5. Decide who will be your quarterback 6. Attend a NET patient education conference 7. Breathe

Learn more about the NET experts presenting on various topics during the 2024 LACNETS Neuroendocrine Tumor Patient Conference. 2024 LACNETS Conference Speakers Understanding NET Diagnosis: The Work-Up & What You Need to Know About Your NETs Chandrikha Chandrasekharan, MBBS Medical Oncologist, University of Iowa Dr. Chandrikha Chandrasekharan is a Clinical Associate Professor at University of Iowa. She did her initial medical training in India at Kilpauk Medical College. She moved to the USA to complete her internal medicine residency at University of Florida College of Medicine at Jacksonville. Dr. Chandrasekharan is board certified in Medical Oncology and Palliative Medicine. After completing medical oncology fellowship at LSU Shreveport, she pursued an additional year of advanced oncology training in gastrointestinal malignancies at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Chandrasekharan's clinical practice and research interests include all gastrointestinal malignancies with a focus on neuroendocrine tumors. Understanding NET Scans Nadine Mallak, MD Radiologist & Nuclear Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Nadine Mallak, M.D. is a double boarded Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology at OHSU, in the divisions of Body Imaging, and Molecular Imaging & Therapy. She received her M.D. degree from Saint Joseph University Medical School in Beirut, Lebanon, followed by a Diagnostic Radiology residency at Hotel Dieu de France, Beirut. Subsequently, she finished fellowships in Neuroradiology and Abdominal Imaging, and a residency in Nuclear Medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Mallak is the clinical director of the PET/MRI program at OHSU. The scope of her clinical practice encompasses all aspects of molecular imaging and therapy, in addition to abdominal and pelvic imaging with modalities including ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Her research interests focus on molecular and hybrid imaging, particularly for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. In addition to her research projects, she’s passionate about education. She was voted by the radiology residents "outstanding teacher of the year" for the year 2019-2020, and by the graduating senior residents “outstanding board reviewer” for the year 2021-2022 In her free time, she enjoys painting, mostly with acrylic and watercolors, reading, hiking, and exploring the gorgeous nature in the Pacific Northwest. Understanding Surgery for Liver NETs Callisia Clarke, MD Surgical Oncologist, Medical College of Wisconsin Dr. Clarke is Chief of Surgical Oncology and Associate Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin with a focus on tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract, sarcomas, melanomas and regional therapies for advanced malignancies. She specializes in hepato-pancreatic-biliary malignancies, primary and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors, melanoma and sarcoma. Her research efforts focus on personalized cancer care and targeted approaches in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Clarke also serves on the Executive Committee of the Association for Academic Surgery and is the Chair of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) Mentoring and Early Career Development Committee. President Biden recently announced she will be appointed as a Member of the National Cancer Advisory Board. Dr. Clarke will play a key role in guiding the Director of the National Cancer Institute in setting the course for the national cancer research program and help advance breakthroughs to prevent, detect, and treat diseases like cancer. Understanding Carcinoid Crisis Julie Hallet, MD, MSc., FRCSC Surgical Oncologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center Dr. Hallet is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and a Surgical Oncologist with a clinical practice devoted to hepato-biliary, pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal malignancies at the Odette Cancer Centre - Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Her practice further focuses on neuroendocrine tumors as part of the Susan Leslie Multidisciplinary Clinic for Neuroendocrine Tumors, as well as minimally invasive therapies for cancer treatment. She completed general surgery residency and MSc in clinical epidemiology at Université Laval in Québec City, followed by a Surgical Oncology and hepato-pancreatico-biliary clinical fellowship at the University of Toronto, and additional training in advanced minimally invasive surgery at the Institut de recherche contre les cancers de l’appareil digestif (IRCAD) in Strasbourg, France. Dr. Hallet holds leadership roles in National and International societies. Among those roles, she serves as the Vice-Chair of the Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Disease Site Group of the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Chair of the Early Career Group the International Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Association, and a member of the Guidelines Committee of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumors Society, as well as on the executive committees of the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology and the Canadian Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association. She is a founding member of the Society of Surgical Ergonomics for which she also chairs the Research and Applied Ergonomics Committee. She also is Associate Section Editor for the Annals of Surgical Oncology, and is part of the Editorial Board of HPB, the World Journal of Surgery, and the British Journal of Surgery. Dr. Hallet’s research focuses on health services research to examine processes of care and outcomes in oncology, with a focus on patient-centred and patient-reported outcomes. To support her research, she has received over $10 millions in operating grants, including from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research. Dr. Hallet has over 200 peer-reviewed publications, including high-impact papers in JAMA Surgery, JAMA Oncology, the Journal of the NCCN, and Annals of Surgery. Understanding Liver-Directed Therapy Michael Soulen, MD FSIR FCIRSE Interventional Radiologist, University of Pennsylvania Michael C. Soulen, MD FSIR FCIRSE is the Professor of Radiology and Director of Interventional Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center and Director of Clinical Research in the Division of Interventional Radiology. His major clinical and research focus for the past 30 years has been image-guided cancer therapy (interventional oncology), with a specific focus on embolotherapy and ablative therapy of solid tumors in the liver and kidney. Animal research includes swine, rabbit, and rat models for liver-directed therapies, investigating novel embolic agents, novel ablation devices, and ultrasound-mediated drug delivery using novel drug-loaded microbubble contrast agents. Clinic trials focus on embolotherapies for primary liver cancers, liver metastases from colorectal and neuroendocrine tumors, and renal cell carcinomas. Current clinical investigations focus on synergy between locoregional and systemic therapies, including 1) pharmacologic modulation of the metabolic stress response under conditions of embolic ischemia; 2) IR therapies as immunostimulants combined with immune checkpoint inhibition, 3) radioembolization with radiosensitizing drugs; 4) serial biopsy for tumor cell culture, rapid drug screening, sequencing and testing in PDX mice, with the goal of personalized precision medicine; and 5) the first international randomized trial comparing embolotherapy techniques for neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases. Dr. Soulen received Research Mentor awards from the University of Pennsylvania Department of Radiology and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society and the Gold Medal from the Society of Interventional Radiology. Understanding PRRT Eric Mittra, MD, PhD Nuclear Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Dr. Mittra received his medical and graduate training at Stony Brook University and subsequently completed a Nuclear Medicine residency and fellowship at Stanford University. He was faculty at Stanford for many years before moving to Oregon Health & Science University in 2018. Dr. Mittra is involved in all aspects of Nuclear Medicine but theranostics for oncology is of particular interest. His research interests are primarily focused on the clinical translation of novel radioisotopes for imaging and therapy. He is very involved with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS), and is a prior Medical Director of the Healing NET Foundation (HNF). Understanding the Latest in Systemic Treatments & Considerations for Treatment Sequencing Thorvardur Halfdanarson, MD Medical Oncologist, Mayo Clinic Thor R. Halfdanarson, M.D., is a medical oncologist and Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic who specializes in the management of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms, gastrointestinal malignancies and unknown primary malignancies. His specific research interests include the epidemiology, risk factors and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and neuroendocrine carcinoma and improving outcomes for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and rare types of pancreatic tumors. He is a principal investigator and co-investigator for multiple industry-sponsored and cooperative group clinical trials. Dr. Halfdanarson holds several leadership positions within Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is chair of the Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Cancer Disease Group and co-chair of the Pancreatic/Neuroendocrine Tumor Board. He is associate medical director of the Cancer Clinical Trials Office in Rochester, Minnesota, co-chair of the Feasibility Committee, and a member of the Clinical Research Leadership Committee. He also represents Mayo Clinic on the Neuroendocrine Tumors Guidelines Panel of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Dr. Halfdanarson currently serves as President for the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS). NET Tumor Board Panel: Understanding NET Liver Metastases Jaydira Del Rivero, MD Endocrinologist & Medical Oncologist, National Institute of Health Dr. Del Rivero earned her medical degree from the University of Veracruz in Veracruz, Mexico and completed her internal medicine residency at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center/NYU-Langone Medical Center. Dr. Del Rivero completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at The Inter-Institute Endocrinology Training Program (IETP) at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) where she was part of a research team developing clinical trials for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. She then joined as Assistant Professor at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care (MECCC) where she specialized in endocrine oncology involving thyroid cancer, parathyroid and adrenal tumors, and clinical research for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. She subsequently completed a second fellowship in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) with a research focus on endocrine malignancies. Dr. Del Rivero is board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Medical Oncology. Dr. Del Rivero is a Physician Scientist in the Developmental Therapeutics Branch. She is the Principal Investigator of the Natural History Study for Neuroendocrine Neoplasm and Adrenocortical Cancer to provide the basis of further development of therapeutic interventions, prevention/screening guidelines, endpoints for future clinical trials, and patient reported outcome measures. Dr. Del Rivero’s current efforts is the development of novel treatment approaches and targeted therapies for endocrine malignancies such as advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, adrenocortical cancer and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. Eric Mittra, MD, PhD Nuclear Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Dr. Mittra received his medical and graduate training through the MSTP (joint MD/PhD) program at Stony Brook University in New York in 2005. His master’s degree was in Anatomical Sciences, and his PhD in Biomedical Engineering. He subsequently completed a Nuclear Medicine residency and fellowship at Stanford University. He was faculty in Radiology at Stanford for 8 years, until moving to OHSU in 2018. Dr. Mittra is interested in all aspects of Nuclear Medicine imaging, therapy, and research. This includes adult and pediatric general nuclear medicine imaging with gamma camera and SPECT, PET imaging for oncology, cardiac, and neurologic applications, as well as bone densitometry (DXA imaging). Targeted Radioisotope Therapies (TRT) are of particular interest; including various applications in oncology and he is a nationally-recognized expert in this area. His research interests are primarily focused on the clinical translation of novel radioisotopes for imaging and therapy. He very involved with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS), and is the current Medical Director of the Healing NET Foundation (HNF). Osman Ahmed, MD Interventional Radiologist, University of Chicago Osman Ahmed, MD, is an expert vascular and interventional radiologist who diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions. Using image-guided technology and small, sophisticated instruments, Dr. Ahmed performs minimally invasive procedures for acute and chronic deep vein thrombosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, peripheral vascular disease, liver/bone/lung/kidney cancer, spinal fractures, uterine fibroids and more. He also implants inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, which prevent a blood clot from traveling around the body or creating a blockage. In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Ahmed researches novel treatment options that improve outcomes for patients. His research on liver cancer, IVC filters and venous diseases has been published in several high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Radiology, Chest, Journal of American College of Radiology, and Journal of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Ahmed also believes in the importance of educating medical students, residents, fellowships and peers in order to enhance health care across the world. He has been invited to speak at a number of symposiums, practicums and national/international meetings about the newest advancements in interventional radiology. Gangandeep Singh, MD Surgical Oncologist, City of Hope Dr. Singh is an internationally recognized liver and pancreas surgeon. He is the Chief of Surgical Oncology program, Head of the Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery Program and the Director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center (Phoenix). Dr. Singh is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience building and leading several surgical teams to world-wide recognition. Dr. Singh began his faculty academic career at the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. From there, he was appointed as the Director of the Liver and Pancreas Center at the John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, where he also served as Chair of the Cancer Committee, and Vice President for Fellowship Education. In 2010, City of Hope (Duarte) recruited Dr. Singh to spearhead the liver and pancreatic cancer program. He was appointed Professor of Clinical Surgery and as the new Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology (2011-2019) and hoisted their program to national recognition. He has an extensive referral base that reflects peer recognition of his clinical acumen and surgical expertise and is listed in “America’s Top Surgeons”, “Best Doctors of America”, “Super Doctors” and “Top Doctors of America.” Prior to his tenure in the Unites States, he earned is his Medical Degree from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, India, and then trained at some of the finest cancer centers across the globe. These institutions include Tata Memorial Hospital and Cancer Center (Bombay, India), René Descartes University (Paris, France), and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (Great Britain- England). In the USA, these institutes include the Marion Bessin Liver Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (New York), Maricopa Medical Center (Phoenix), and the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (Iowa City). Dr. Singh is a board-certified surgeon, a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of some of the top elite surgical societies and has served as invited speaker/chair at several national and international conferences. He was a panel member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for Hepatobiliary Cancers for the last 10 years, that lays down the guidelines for the standard of care for these cancers; providing direction to both patients and physicians across the USA and the rest of the world. Dr. Singh has a very thoughtful, effective, and yet forceful approach to beating cancer, in a systematic fashion working with an outstanding multi-disciplinary team. Dynamic and compassionate, he is a skilled and an accomplished surgeon. He has extensive experience in liver and pancreatic diseases and other gastrointestinal cancers. His work is very well published with numerous publications in prestigious journals. His publications encompass complex liver resections for liver metastases, management algorithms for neuroendocrine tumors, vascular reconstructions following difficult pancreatic surgery for pancreatic cancer, and advanced robotic surgery. His work in robotic surgery has been presented on the national podium at the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA), Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons (SLRS) and other national meetings. An innovator at heart, Dr. Singh is in constant pursuit of enhancing the surgical experience and developing technical innovations in liver and pancreatic surgery. He has collaborative endeavors with engineers from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) & Harvey Mudd College. He has several invention disclosures and patents. In addition to a large clinical practice, Dr. Singh is passionately advancing cutting-edge translational research. He collaborates with City of Hope’s molecular biologists, X-ray crystallographers, structural chemists, and super-resolution scientists. A leader who is passionate about empowering teams and individuals to achieve their full potential, Dr. Singh has been recognized with several awards and leadership positions. Understanding NET Guidelines Jaydira Del Rivero, MD Endocronologist & Medical Oncologist, National Institute of Health Dr. Del Rivero earned her medical degree from the University of Veracruz in Veracruz, Mexico and completed her internal medicine residency at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center/NYU-Langone Medical Center. Dr. Del Rivero completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at The Inter-Institute Endocrinology Training Program (IETP) at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) where she was part of a research team developing clinical trials for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. She then joined as Assistant Professor at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care (MECCC) where she specialized in endocrine oncology involving thyroid cancer, parathyroid and adrenal tumors, and clinical research for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. She subsequently completed a second fellowship in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) with a research focus on endocrine malignancies. Dr. Del Rivero is board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Medical Oncology. Dr. Del Rivero is a Physician Scientist in the Developmental Therapeutics Branch. She is the Principal Investigator of the Natural History Study for Neuroendocrine Neoplasm and Adrenocortical Cancer to provide the basis of further development of therapeutic interventions, prevention/screening guidelines, endpoints for future clinical trials, and patient reported outcome measures. Dr. Del Rivero’s current efforts is the development of novel treatment approaches and targeted therapies for endocrine malignancies such as advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, adrenocortical cancer and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. Understanding the Latest NET Clinical Trials Pamela Kunz, MD Medical Oncologist, Yale Medicine Dr. Pamela Kunz is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Oncology at Yale School of Medicine where she also serves as the Director of the Center for GI Cancers and Division Chief of GI Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital. She received her medical degree from the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. Her postgraduate training included a medical residency, chief residency, and oncology fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Kunz is an international leader in the treatment and clinical research of patients with GI malignancies and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). She holds several key leadership positions in the field including President Emeritus of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society, recent past Chair of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Taskforce of the NCI and standing member of FDA’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee. She was recently appointed Editor-in-Chief of JCO Oncology Advances. In addition to her focus on NETs, she is a leading voice for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine. She served as the Vice Chief of DEI for the Section of Medical Oncology at Yale School of Medicine and in 2021, she was awarded ‘Woman Oncologist of the Year’ by Women Leaders in Oncology for her work in promoting gender equity. MODERATORS ANDREW HENDIFAR, MD Medical Oncologist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center The current research focus of Andrew Hendifar, MD, is on developing new therapies for pancreatic cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Hendifar has helped form multidisciplinary teams that specialize in the treatments of pancreatic cancer, and carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Hendifar is the primary investigator for several groundbreaking therapies, including radioimmunotherapy for neuroendocrine tumors, anti-inflammatory therapy for pancreatic cancer and novel approaches to cancer cachexia. His national roles include SWOG GI Committee Member and a member of NIH Neuroendocrine Tumor Task Force. He also serves as the steering committee member for the Precision Promise Consortium and chairs the associated Supportive Care Committee. At Cedars-Sinai, he leads the Gastrointestinal Disease Research Group and is the founding Director of the Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program. DANENG LI, MD Medical Oncologist, City of Hope Daneng Li, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, specializing in treating gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Li currently leads the liver tumors program and is also the co-director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at City of Hope. Dr. Li embraces a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors. He leads several clinical trials focused on improving outcomes for patients with NETs and works closely with scientists in the development of the next generation of novel therapeutics. Nationally, he has served on several NET committees including the NANETS Research Committee, NANETS Continuing Medical Education Committee, and the Patient-Physician Communication Task Force for the Healing NET Foundation, allowing him to work closely to support NET patient advocacy programs. For all his efforts, he was honored as a recipient of the inaugural 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award during the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in 2018. MARY DONLEVY LACNETS Board member and NET Patient Advocate Mary Donlevy joined the LACNETS Board in 2020. She brings the patient perspective as she has been thriving despite living with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor since 2005. She has been close friends with LACNETS Founder Giovanna Joyce since 2010 and involved with LACNETS since then. Mary has served as a NET CONNECT mentor and Advisory Committee member. She has been actively involved in the monthly meetings and virtual NET support groups. Mary received her Bachelor's Degree in Communications from University of San Diego and has over 10 years of medical and sales training. Her passion is to help those dealing with this difficult diagnosis and still enjoy a very full and active life. She is the mother of four children, two of which are identical twins, born after her cancer diagnosis. Mary enjoys ocean swimming, yoga and traveling with her husband and children in her free time. Beth DeBlase NET Patient Beth was diagnosed in 2016 with metastatic, midgut NET. In that time, she has made aesthetic oncology and integrative therapies her passion. Her mission is to help enhance the quality of life for fellow cancer patients and caregivers, including herself, her four children, and husband. << Go back to the 2024 Annual Conference Page