Cancer patient discovers 4 locals have similar rare tumor

(SUNMAN, Ind.) – A local mother battling a rare form of cancer has discovered a potentially alarming trend.

31-year-old Morgan Robertson, of Sunman, is currently fighting Stage 4 metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.

Neuroendocrine tumors affect around 6 out of every 100,000 people worldwide annually, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

They are most commonly diagnosed in adults who are 50 years or older.

“Although anyone can develop neuroendocrine tumors, they’re rare in children, teens and young adults. On average, most people diagnosed are between the ages of 50 and 60,” the Cleveland Clinic stated.

Robertson has done extensive research and says this happening in her age group is beyond a rarity.

Her research has indicated that only 1 or 2 per 100,000 people under 50-years-old are diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor each year.

“Meaning the exact number of diagnosed 30-year-olds is statistically very small,” she said. 

Neuroendocrine tumors can happen anywhere in the body with most occurring in the lungs, appendix, small intestine, rectum and pancreas, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Despite the tumor being very rare for young adults, she has discovered at least 4 people in her area that are currently diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. 

Three of them are well below the typical age for diagnosis:

Name: Morgan Robertson

• Age:  31

  
  

• Hometown/School:  Grew up in Bright and graduated East Central High School in 2014. She currently resides in the Sunman/ New Alsace area.

  
  

• Type: Stage 4 Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer 

  
  

• Diagnosed: May 2026. (However, the Mayo Clinic believes she may have had it since age 25.)

You can read more information about Morgan by clicking here.

Name: Shelby Caldwell

Age: 27 

Hometown/School:  Grew up in Lawrenceburg and graduated from Lawrenceburg High School in 2017

Type: Stage 4 Colorectal Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Diagnosed: April 2026

You can read more information about Shelby by clicking here.

Name: Breanna Fields

Age: 31

Hometown/School:  Grew up in Bright. Graduated East Central High School in 2014 (same as Morgan).

Type: Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumor Stage 1 

Diagnosed: July 27, 2026

Name: (Female/ Name Redacted)

Age: 65

Hometown/ School: Dearborn County

Type: Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Tumor 

Diagnosed: N/A

Do you know someone in our area with a neuroendocrine tumor? Feel free to send an email to seindiananews@gmail.com

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Robertson is committed to not only fighting the disease but also raising awareness about it locally. 

She's unsure of why this rare cancer is affecting an above-average amount of people in our area and doesn't know the cause either.

However, she hopes to spread awareness about neuroendocrine tumors. 

“I want to help people know the questions to ask because I believe it gets misdiagnosed way too often. I was misdiagnosed for five years before I finally got to the Mayo Clinic,” Robertson said. 

In general, neuroendocrine tumor symptoms might include:

• Pain from a growing tumor.

• A growing lump you can feel under the skin.

• Feeling very tired.

• Losing weight without trying.

Symptoms of these tumors can include:

• Skin flushing.

• Diarrhea.

• Increased thirst.

• Dizziness.

• Shakiness.

• Skin rash.

  
  

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.