Carcinoid Tumors

Carcinoid tumors are a slow-growing type of cancer that can arise in various parts of the body. Carcinoid tumors, a subset of tumors known as neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract or the lungs. They often cause no signs or symptoms until late in the disease. However, they can sometimes produce hormones that cause signs and symptoms such as diarrhea, skin flushing and wheezing.

Treatment is usually surgical. Sometimes medical treatment may be needed.

Symptoms of Carcinoid Tumors

Symptoms vary depending on where the carcinoid tumor is located.

Carcinoid tumors in the lungs

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Redness or a feeling of warmth in your face and neck (skin flushing)
• Weight gain, especially around the midsection and upper back
• Pink or purple marks on the skin that look like stretch marks

Carcinoid tumors in the digestive tract

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bowel obstruction
• Rectal bleeding
• Rectal pain
• Redness or a feeling of warmth in your face and neck (skin flushing)

What Causes Carcinoid Tumors?

The exact cause of carcinoid tumors is not known. Older age, female sex and a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) are risk factors.

Complications

Carcinoid syndrome: Among other signs and symptoms, it causes redness or a feeling of warmth in your face and neck (skin flushing), chronic diarrhea or difficulty breathing.

Carcinoid heart disease: Some hormones secreted by carcinoid tumors can cause thickening of the walls of the heart chambers, the heart valves and the large blood vessels leaving the heart. Sometimes valve insufficiency may become severe enough to require surgery.

Cushing's syndrome: Some lung carcinoid tumors can cause this condition by triggering excess production of the hormone cortisol.

Diagnosis

Blood and urine tests are used to look for excess hormone activity, and imaging methods are used to scan especially the digestive tract and lungs.

Treatment and follow-up

A carcinoid tumor detected at an early stage can be completely removed with surgery. If it is discovered at an advanced stage, complete removal may not be possible. In some cases, surgeons try to remove as much of the tumor as possible to help control signs and symptoms. Certain medications can be used to reduce hormone production.