Welcome to NETSIG

Welcome to NETSIG: a website developed for the public and Australian healthcare professionals with an interest in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). This site offers educational material on the disease, links to other relevant websites and provides a means of communication for state-based multidisciplinary meetings (restricted to healthcare professionals only). This website also allows restricted access to SIGNETURe, a NET registry.

If you would like further information on this website or would like to find out how to become a member, please contact us.

What are Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)?

NETs are rare tumours that grow specifically in the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is a network of glands that are present throughout the body. Cells of the neuroendocrine system are responsible for producing and secreting a variety of hormones or hormone-like substances. These substances act on different parts of the body, keeping it in balance.

NETs commonly occur in the gut, but they can also arise in other parts of the body where neuroendocrine cells are present – for example, in the lungs and the pancreas. The first place where a NET develops in the body is known as the ‘primary’ site. NETs can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver. When this happens, the tumours are called ‘secondary’ tumours or ‘metastases’.

NETs are generally slow growing and can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Some NETs can cause the over-production of certain hormones.
The symptoms experienced by a person with a NET depend on the type of NET, its location in the body and the type of hormone it produces.

Since NETs are generally slow growing, and because not all NETs cause an over-production of hormones, there may not be any signs or symptoms of disease for some months or years.