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What is Carcinoid tumor?
A carcinoid tumor, sometimes referred to as simply carcinoid, is a tumor of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is a network of glands that produce particular hormones and send them into the bloodstream to affect the function of different organs in the body.
Most carcinoid tumors are found in the appendix or the small intestine. Less commonly, they may arise in the lung or the pancreas. Rarely, they may arise in other parts of the body.
Carcinoid tumors often grow slowly and it may be several years before any symptoms appear and the tumor is diagnosed.
Carcinoid Tumor Picture
What Causes carcinoid tumors?
Carcinoid tumor is a rare type of tumor. Both Men and women are affected equally. Carcinoid toumors are usually found in adults over the age of 30. Exact cause of Carcinoid toumors is unknown.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The type of symptoms will depend on where the tumor started, where it may have spread to, and whether it produces a hormone known as serotonin. If a carcinoid tumor starts in the appendix it does not usually spread to other parts of the body and does not produce serotonin. As a result there are very few symptoms and it is often discovered by chance when the appendix is removed for another reason.
Carcinoid syndrome
If a carcinoid tumor starts outside the appendix, and particularly if it spreads to the liver, it will often produce serotonin and cause symptoms known as carcinoid syndrome. Symptoms include diarrhoea, flushing of the skin and wheezing (similar to asthma). Loss of appetite and weight loss may also occur. It may be possible to reduce the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome by avoiding substances or conditions that cause flushing, such as alcohol and stress.
Most common carcinoid tumors are:
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