1.2 Risk factors
The risk factors for developing NETs include (Cancer Centre 2021; Roswell Park 2021; Department of Health and Ageing 2013):
- hereditary conditions such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2), von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), phacomatoses (neurocutaneous syndromes)
- genetic disorders associated with multiple tumours – for example, tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis
- conditions that affect stomach acid, such as pernicious anaemia and chronic atrophic gastritis
- age – although NETs can occur at any age, there are some age groups that specific NETs can occur in, such as appendiceal NETs in a younger age group.