Tests for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)

Neuroendocrine tumours sometimes release high amounts of serotonin. This breaks down into a substance called 5-HIAA. Your doctor can test for this in your urine.

A CT scan can show up a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) and see whether it has spread anywhere else in your body.

Ultrasound scans use high frequency sound waves to build up a picture of the inside of the body.

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It can use magnetism and radio waves to create cross section pictures of the body.

A PET-CT scan combines a CT scan and a PET scan. You might have a PET-CT scan to find out where the NET is and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. 

You have an injection of a low dose radioactive substance, which can show up on a scan. These scans help to diagnose some neuroendocrine tumours.

A colonoscopy looks at the whole of the inside of your large bowel. Doctors use this test to help diagnose bowel neuroendocrine tumours.

An endoscopy is a test that looks inside the body. Doctors use an endoscopy test to help diagnose certain types of neuroendocrine tumours.

A biopsy means surgically removing a piece of tissue so that a pathologist can look at it under a microscope.

Blood tests can help to diagnose some types of neuroendocrine tumours. You might also have one to check your general health.