Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) in the UAE

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), despite their increasing incidence, are considered to be rare tumors. There is no published data about the incidence or prevalence of NETs in the UAE. In a survey in 2021 for oncologists in the UAE, 43 respondents completed the survey. Thirty-one respondents (72.1%) had active patients with neuroendocrine tumors at the time of the survey. Thirty-one respondents (73.8%) indicated that GI NET was the most common NET in their practice. Six respondents (14.3%) selected lung and two (4.8%) selected gynecological NETs as the most common NETs in their practices. This is the first study to address the potential burden of NETs in the UAE. More education for family physicians, endocrinologists, and gastroenterologists in the UAE is needed to facilitate early diagnosis.