Referral to a specialist

Most patients who see a GP do not have cancer and have symptoms due to a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.

There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral.

However, there aren't specific referral guidelines for neuroendocrine tumours. Your symptoms may be the same as for other types of cancer.

Your GP should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have any symptoms that could be due to cancer.

Urgent referral

There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral.

Some of the UK nations have targets around how quickly you’ll be seen. In England an urgent referral means that you should see a specialist within 2 weeks.

This 2 week time limit does not exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But wherever you live, you are seen as quickly as possible.

Which specialist do I see for neuroendocrine cancer?

Your GP looks at your symptoms and decides which type of specialist to refer you to. For example:

• you see a gastroenterologist or a gastrointestinal surgeon for bowel or stomach problems

• you see a chest or respiratory specialist if you have problems with your breathing

• you might see an endocrinology specialist if you have hormonal symptoms

What to expect

Your specialist:

• asks about your medical history and symptoms

• examines you

They also arrange any tests that you need. These will depend on your symptoms and the results of any tests you have already had.

Referral to the neuroendocrine team

Your hospital specialist might then refer you to a specialist team. They specialise in neuroendocrine cancers. This group of professionals is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Neuroendocrine cancers are rare. So your MDT might be at a hospital a bit further away than your local hospital. Your MDT might include:

• an oncologist
• a surgeon
• an endocrinologist - a doctor specialising in problems with the endocrine (hormone) systems
• a gastroenterologist  
• a palliative care consultant  - a doctor who specialises in controlling symptoms
• a dietician
• a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – who helps answer your questions and supports you

The neuroendocrine doctor will examine you. They review your medical history and test results. They might arrange for more tests.

Your neuroendocrine MDT work together to decide on the best way to manage your care.

This page is due for review. We will update this as soon as possible.