Skip to main content

Health professionals

Details for professionals seeking comprehensive information on neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Optimal care pathway for people with neuroendocrine tumours

The Optimal Care Pathways outline consistent, safe, high-quality and evidence-based care for people with cancer. Relevant to every step along the cancer continuum, the Optimal Care Pathways aim to improve patient outcomes for people affected by cancer, and ensure that Australians diagnosed with cancer receive the best care irrespective of where they live or receive cancer treatment. 

Key principles for optimal cancer care are set out for each step of the patient journey from prevention through to survivorship and end of life care, and optimal timeframes within which tests or procedures should be completed. 

National endorsement

The Optimal Care Pathways are endorsed by Cancer Australia, all states and territories and Cancer Council Australia. 

For health professionals and health services

The Optimal Care Pathways are available in their full version or as a Quick Reference Guide (summary version): 

For people affected by cancer  

Consumer versions of the Optimal Care Pathways are available to help patients and their families and carers to understand the optimal cancer care that should be provided from diagnosis, through to treatment and beyond. They are available in multiple languages. 

The Guides to Best Cancer Care include optimal timeframes within which tests or procedures should be completed; prompt lists to support patients to understand what might happen at each step of their cancer experience and to consider what questions to ask; and provide information to help patients and carers communicate with health professionals. 

Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer

The Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer has been developed with the aim of reducing disparities and improving outcomes and experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer. The Optimal Care Pathway provides guidance to health practitioners and service planners on optimal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer, across the cancer continuum. It complements the best practice information provided in the cancer-specific pathways. 

The Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer is available in a full version and Quick Reference Guide (summary version). 

For health professionals and health services

Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families affected by cancer 

For more information about neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis and treatment, see the Unicorn Foundation Neuroendocrine tumours: a guide for healthcare professionals and the National Cancer Institute (US) Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors treatment (PDQ®) – health professional version. 

Clinical practice guidelines for neuroendocrine cancer: 

When reading materials that are published in other countries, note that some of the information may not apply to Australian patients. 

Cancer Australia

Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.

If you would like an interpreter to help you understand any information on this website, please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call Cancer Australia on 02 9357 9400. Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

© 2025 Cancer Australia. All rights reserved.