Dr Foo Kian Fong

Expertise in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)

Dr Foo has particular clinical interest in pancreatic, gastrointestinal and skin neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). His longstanding experience in gastrointestinal oncology provides an important foundation for managing NETs arising in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.

He undertook fellowship training in gastrointestinal cancers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute in Melbourne and has extensive experience treating cancers across the gastrointestinal system. He is also a member of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS).

Dr Foo’s experience includes the management and multidisciplinary discussion of patients with advanced NETs. He has presented metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (GEP-NET) cases as part of Parkway Cancer Centre’s multidisciplinary Tumour Board.

One reason Dr Foo has remained particularly interested in NETs is the challenge of diagnosis. Because these cancers are uncommon, patients may experience symptoms for a prolonged period before receiving a diagnosis. At the same time, advances in treatment have expanded the options available to patients with NETs.

Neuroendocrine cancers are a diverse group of cancers, ranging from relatively slow-growing tumours to more aggressive disease. With advances in treatment, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy and targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies, there are now more treatment options available for patients. We work as a team to help each patient find the most appropriate approach to their care.

Cancer care is a team effort. We need experienced pathologists to establish an accurate diagnosis and radiologists to interpret complex scans, so that surgeons and oncologists can determine the most appropriate approach to each patient’s care. With neuroendocrine cancers, nuclear medicine physicians may also play an important role in interpreting specialised scans and delivering radiopharmaceutical therapies. Oncology-trained nurses and counsellors are also important in helping patients navigate their treatment.

Dr Foo also treats a broad range of cancers in addition to the neuroendocrine tumours highlighted on this page. His broader oncology experience includes cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, intestines and biliary tract, as well as nasopharyngeal, lung, kidney and prostate cancers.

To learn more about his broader clinical experience, qualifications and areas of expertise, visit Dr Foo Kian Fong’s full profile.