"Invariably the patient has a long history of vague abdominal symptoms, a series of visits to his or her primary care practitioner, and referral to a gastroenterologist, often with a misdiagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These symptoms persist with a median latency to correct diagnosis of 9.2 years by which time the tumor has metastasized, causing flushing and diarrhea and progressing on its slow but relentless course until the patient dies."
The quote above is the one that scared me into realizing that this was what I had. The description fit me to a t. Don't wait and be lulled into thinking it's something easy like IBS.
This cancer is real, and although slow growing, it is a killer. Take unexplained symptoms seriously. Don't let a doctor tell you it's IBS. Do your research and get answers. There are good doctors out there who will work with you to find out what is wrong with you.
When I returned to my shitty primary care physician for the second time in 6 months with the same symptoms and she refused to order a CT scan, and instead ordered a second ultrasound, I WAS OUT OF THERE. You are not stuck with your doctor. There are other doctors in the sea.
The North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society has some excellent research articles and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.
http://nanets.net/research/articles/nanets-guidelines
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