Our Neuroendocrine Tumor Physician Team

Neuroendocrine tumor board meeting, Xavier Keutgen, Andy Liao, Dan Appelbaum — UChicago Medicine neuroendocrine tumor specialists meet regularly to discuss patient care plans.

University of Chicago Medicine experts work together to provide compassionate, leading-edge care for patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Meet Our Neuroendocrine Tumor Physician Team

Xavier M. Keutgen, MD

Endocrine Surgery

Chih-Yi "Andy" Liao, MD

Hematology and Oncology (Cancer)

Blase Polite, MD

Hematology and Oncology (Cancer)

Christine Bestvina, MD

Hematology and Oncology (Cancer)

Daniel Appelbaum, MD

Radiology

Nicholas Feinberg, MD

Radiology

Genetic Counselors

Feighanne Hathaway, MS, CGC

Feighanne Hathaway, MS, CGC, is a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor in the Section of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Chicago Medicine. Hathaway received her bachelor of science in liberal arts and sciences from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and a master of science in genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Hathaway established genetic counseling services at the NYU Clinical Cancer Center when it opened. She was a part of the National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program and co-started a support group for young women with BRCA mutations at NYU. Her research interests include genetic susceptibility to breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, as well as other rare cancers. Additionally, she is interested in making genetic services available to underrepresented or underserved populations as well as training more professionals in genetics to meet the growing demands of genetic testing. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and the Genetic Task Force of Illinois and currently serves as the co-chair for the Cancer SIG Communications Division at NSGC.

Madeline K. Pies, MGCS, CGC

Madeline K. Pies, MGCS, CGC, is a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor specializing in cancer risk and preventive oncology at the University of Chicago Medicine. Pies received her bachelor of science degrees in molecular biology and Spanish and completed her master of genetic counselor studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has a particular interest, experience and training in health advocacy and holds a certificate in consumer health advocacy from University of Wisconsin-Madison as well a Wisconsin maternal and child leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities certificate. Pies additionally has interests in global health and health systems and has completed additional cancer genetics training in London. Prior to joining the UChicago Medicine, Pies worked for several years in the Division of Medical Genetics at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and specialized in both pediatric and adult genetic conditions. She has experience supervising trainees and educating other health professionals about genetic medicine. Pies is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Understanding Neuroendocrine Tumors

UChicago Medicine was one of the first hospitals to offer peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) to treat neuroendocrine tumors. Learn more about these tumors and how they can be treated.

Video Transcript

Understanding neuroendocrine tumors. Neuroendocrine cells are found throughout the body, particularly in the small bowel, pancreas, stomach, adrenal glands, lungs and thyroid. When these cells received messages from the nervous system, they release hormones. Neuroendocrine tumors, or NETs, are tumors that form in neuroendocrine cells.

NETs are rare and complex. Because their behavior can be difficult to predict, it is important for patients to be seen by an experienced team of doctors for diagnosis and treatment. The NETs care team at University of Chicago Medicine includes experts across many specialties.

They work together to accurately diagnose neuroendocrine tumors, and to determine the most effective treatment for each patient. At UChicago Medicine, treatment for NETs often includes surgery, even for tumors that have spread to other organs.

Our surgeons are some of the most experienced in the country at treating NETs, and to use unique state of the art techniques to destroy and remove tumors. In addition, we were one of the first centers in the country to offer a promising treatment called Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy, or PRRT.

PRRT combines a targeting molecule that binds to specific receptors on tumor cells and a radioactive particle that destroys cancer cells. PRRT is given to patients through an IV infusion, and has fewer side effects than other chemotherapies. A course of treatment typically includes four doses given eight weeks apart.

At UChicago Medicine, our researchers are working to find the underlying cause of these tumors, and to bring new treatments, including innovative clinical trials, for the most challenging cases. Want to learn more about treatment and the newest clinical trials for neuroendocrine tumors? UChicago Medicine is here to help. Visit UChicagoMedicine.org/nets.

Cancer Care Second Opinions

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Specialized Care for Inherited Endocrine Tumor Syndromes

Offering comprehensive risk assessment to patients with suspected inherited endocrine tumor syndromes.

Endocrine Genetics Clinic

Xavier Keutgen, MD, meets with resident Jelani Williams, MD

Advanced Endocrine Surgery

Our experts understand what makes endocrine surgery effective -- experience, teamwork and technology.

Endocrine Surgery