The University of Iowa Neuroendocrine Tumor Clinic.

Abstract

The Iowa Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Clinic was founded and developed by two remarkable physicians, Thomas and Sue O'Dorisio. Tom was an Endocrinologist and close friend and colleague of Aaron Vinik. Both men were pioneers in studies of gastrointestinal hormones and the management of patients with NETs. Sue was a Pediatric Oncologist and research scientist with great expertise in new drug development and clinical trials. She and Tom were leaders in bringing somatostatin analogs and somatostatin-conjugated radioligands to the clinic for the therapy and diagnosis of NETs. All three physicians received lifetime achievement awards for their contributions to the field of NETs. This is the story of how the Iowa NET Clinic developed over the years to become a model for the multidisciplinary mantagement of patients with NETs, culminating in its designation as a European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society NET Center of Excellence, and the receipt of a Specialized Project of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant for the study of NETs from the National Institutes of Health.