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Glossary

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA): a reliable, 24-hour urine test that is specific to carcinoid tumours. With this test, 5-HIAA is measured in the urine. 5-HIAA is a metabolite of serotonin, a natural chemical messenger that is overproduced in people with GEP NETs.

Acromegaly: a condition characterised by enlarged features; caused by overproduction of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1.

Adenoma: a type of noncancerous tumour.

Amine: member of a group of chemical compounds formed from ammonia by replacement of 1 or more of the hydrogen atoms.

Carcinoid syndrome: the most common systemic clinical manifestation of carcinoid tumours; usually develops after a carcinoid tumour has metastasised, usually to the liver, and there is a substantial concentration of the hormones released by a tumour in the systemic circulation.

Chromogranin A (CgA) testing: a fast, easy blood test for testing all major types of GEP NETs.

Gastrin: a polypeptide hormone that is released from G cells, which are primarily located in the antrum region of the stomach.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs): Neuroendocrine tumours of the gut and pancreas that may result in hypersecretion of a variety of hormones and other substances depending on the location of the tumour.

Growth hormone (GH): released by the pituitary gland and stimulates growth throughout the body.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH): hypothalamic factor that stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1): a peptide that causes bone and tissue growth; is mostly produced in the liver when secretion of GH from the pituitary gland occurs; IGF-1 signals the pituitary to reduce GH production.

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET): the most common NET arises from neuroendocrine cells; primarily occurs in the appendix, ileum, rectum, and bronchus.

Octreoscan™ somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) testing: a highly accurate and versatile imaging test for all of the body's systems.

Octreotide: a synthetic analogue of somatostatin, used to treat certain conditions such as acromegaly and NETs.

Peptide: a member of a class of low-molecular-weight compounds that yields 2 or more amino acids on hydrolysis.

Serotonin: a monoamine vasocontrictor that has many physiologic properties in the body.

Somatostatin: a native hormone that inhibits several endocrine functions.