Neuroendocrine Tumor Clinical Program

Our program

The clinicians in the Neuroendocrine Tumor Clinical Program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America^® (CTCA), Atlanta, have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), sometimes known as carcinoid tumors. Our doctors work with referring physicians and their patients to help treat and manage this rare disease, which develops when abnormal growths begin to form in neuroendocrine cells. After staging NETs using diagnostics including NETSPOT, a diagnostic imaging agent that helps locate somatostatin receptor-positive NETs and determine treatment options, our cancer experts collaborate with one another, and with the patient, as part of a multidisciplinary team, to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

Led by Eyal Meiri, MD, Medical Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at CTCA^® Atlanta, our NET Clinical Program provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Meiri joined CTCA in 2013, and his key area of interest is gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly pancreatic cancer.

Our NET team brings together clinicians from multiple disciplines, all focused on caring for patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Meet our team

Surgical Oncologist Kevin Watkins, MD

Dr. Kevin Watkins, Surgical Oncologist at CTCA Atlanta, is experienced in treating upper gastrointestinal cancers with minimally invasive surgical techniques. He performs standard-of-care and advanced surgical techniques for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Interventional Radiologist Henry Krebs, MD

Dr. Henry Krebs is an Interventional Radiologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience. He has particular expertise in image-guided procedures, including catheter- and needle-based therapies—such as microwave tumor ablation, cryotherapy, chemoembolization, bland embolization and radioembolization—to treat tumors throughout the body.

NET Nurse Navigator Kristen Nigro, BSN, RN

Kristen Nigro, NET Nurse Navigator at CTCA Atlanta, serves as a nurse navigator for the NET Clinical Program. She coordinates patients from initial consultation through treatment and follow-up, provides clinical assessment to determine treatment options, and works closely with team members to provide the most integrative model of care to our patients. 

NET treatment options

The NET Clinical Program provides patients a comprehensive array of treatment options. The type, location and extent of the disease dictate which treatments may be available.

Treatment options may include:

• Surgery, including minimally invasive procedures using laparoscopy or laparotomy, either to remove the entire tumor or to reduce its mass if it cannot be removed safely
• Immunotherapy, using the drug interferon, which helps stimulate the immune system
• Targeted therapy, which attacks certain areas of the cancer cell or its environment (including genes and proteins) that may be responsible for the tumor’s growth and/or survival
• Chemotherapy, using drugs designed to interfere with the growth of cancer cells in order to destroy them
• Interventional radiology, using both catheter- and needle-based therapies
• Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (with Lutathera^®), which combines a cell-targeting protein (or peptide) with a radionuclide (or radioactive material), and is given intravenously to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumors

Because of the complexity and diversity of NETs, our experts collaborate daily, allowing them to recommend a personalized care plan.

Depending on each patient’s unique diagnosis and needs, members of the NET care team may include surgical, medical or radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, interventional radiologists, endocrinologists, pathologists, pain management physicians, dietitians, naturopathic providers, behavioral heath therapists and other trained clinicians.