What is neuroendocrine tumor? All you need to know about disease Irrfan Khan was diagnosed with in 2018

Actor Irrfan Khan, 53, passed away on Wednesday afternoon in a Mumbai hospital where he was admitted due to a colon infection. The actor was unfortunately also battling a long time illness that he was diagnosed with in 2018. The news of his demise was confirmed by Irrfan’s friend and director Shoojit Sircar through a tweet. The 53-year-old actor had been admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital with colon infection and was in the intensive care unit (ICU). 

“My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again.. condolences to Sutapa and Babil.. you too fought, Sutapa you gave everything possible in this fight. Peace and Om shanti. Irfaan Khan salute,” Sircar tweeted.

When Irrfan was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumor in 2018, it came as a shock for the entire world - he was popular not just in India, but also in America and other places. The actor was undergoing treatment for the same. 

What is neuroendocrine tumour?

A neuroendocrine tumour (NET) begins in the specialized cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system. These tumours grow in cells that make hormones. A neuroendocrine tumor can grow in spots like your pancreas, a gland in your belly. It can also happen in your stomach, intestines, or lungs. 

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Some NETs are cancer, which means they can become malignant and spread to other parts of your body. Many of these tumors also make hormones of their own, which can give you certain symptoms.

Unlike other tumours, these grow slowly over a period of time. There are many types of NETs. They're usually named after the type of cell where they grow, or the hormone they make.

Irrfan Khan was under medical attention while recovering from neuroendocrine tumour. 

On April 25, the actor's mother Saeeda Begum breathed her last in Jaipur where she used to stay. However, owing to the ongoing lockdown, the actor could not physically attend his mother's last rites and reportedly paid his last respects through video conferencing.