Carcinoid syndrome and carcinoid tumours
Introduction
A carcinoid tumour is arare cancerof the neuroendocrine systemthe body system that produces hormones.
The tumourusually growsin the bowels or appendix, but it can also be found in the stomach, pancreas, lung, breast, kidney, ovaries or testicles. It tends to grow very slowly.
"Carcinoid syndrome" is the collection of symptoms some people get when a carcinoid tumour usually one that has spread to the liver releases hormones such as serotonin into the bloodstream.
About 1,200 people are diagnosed with a carcinoid tumour each year in the UK, but it's thought that less than1 in 10 of them will have carcinoid syndrome.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016
Introduction
A carcinoid tumour is a rare type of cancerous tumour. Read about the causes and treatments, and about a group of symptoms they can cause, known as carcinoid syndrome.
Signs and symptoms
In the early stages of having a carcinoid tumour, you may not have any symptoms. You may also not have symptoms if the tumour is just in your digestive system, as any hormones it produces will be brok
What causes carcinoid tumours?
It'snotknown exactlywhy carcinoid tumours develop, but it's thought that mostoccur by chance. Your chances of developing a carcinoid tumour may be increased if you have: a rare family syndrome call
Diagnosing carcinoid tumours
Acarcinoid tumour may be found incidentally for example, as a surgeon is removing an appendix. In this case, the tumour will often be caught early and removed along with the appendix, causing no furth
Treating carcinoid tumours and carcinoid syndrome
If the tumour is caught early, it may be possible to completely remove it and cure the cancer altogether. Otherwise, surgeons will remove as much of the tumour as possible (debulking). You can read m
What can I do to help myself?
There are things you can do yourself to manage some of the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome. Generally, you should avoid triggersof flushing , such as: alcohol large meals spicy foods foods contai
Outlook
If the whole tumour can be removed, this may cure the cancer and symptoms altogether. But even if surgeons cannot remove the entire tumour, it usually grows slowly and can be controlled with medicatio
Information about you
If you have carcinoid syndrome, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scientists look f
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