Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) present numerous complex clinical problems. Due to their relatively rare occurrence, research and patient care guidelines since the 1990s have been lacking. As a result, the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society was founded in 2004 and the society members, currently numbering nearly 1,200, bring a variety of expertise from such fields as oncology, pathology, radiology, nuclear medicine, endocrinology, surgery and gastroenterology to ENETS.

 ENETS goals include

• improve the diagnosis and therapy of patients with neuroendocrine tumors in an international, interdisciplinary and scientific context

• coordinate research at European hospitals and health research institutes, with emphasis on basic and clinical research for the diagnosis and treatment of NETs
  
  
• further develop standards for the accreditations of ENETS Centers of Excellence
  
  
• offer education and training for physicians and scientists at annual scientific and educational meetings
  
  
• focus on writing and updating NET guidelines for all aspects of NET care including treatment and standards of care and subsequently publicising in medical and scientific journals
  
  
• foster the exchange of forums for young investigators
  
  
• support collaborative scientific projects of excellence
  
  
• communicate with and inform patient advocates and patient self-help groups
  
  
• cooperate with the pharmaceutical industry for the development of new diagnostic, therapeutic and information technologies
  
  
• further endorse the ENETS Registry and Centers of Excellence throughout Europe