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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffCarcinoid syndrome occurs when a rare cancerous tumor called a carcinoid tumor secretes certain chemicals into your bloodstream, causing a variety of signs and symptoms. Carcinoid tumors occur most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs.
Because carcinoid tumors generally grow slowly, you typically wouldn't experience carcinoid syndrome until the tumors are quite advanced. You might discover you have carcinoid cancer through a test for an unrelated disease or condition.
Treatment for carcinoid syndrome usually involves treating the cancer. However, because most carcinoid tumors don't cause carcinoid syndrome until they're advanced, a cure may not be possible. In those cases, medications may relieve your symptoms of carcinoid syndrome and make you more comfortable.
- A review of carcinoid cancer. Carcinoid Cancer Foundation. http://www.carcinoid.org/pcf/docs/review.html#SYN. Accessed April 10, 2010.
- How are gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors diagnosed? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_gastrointestinal_carcinoid_tumors_diagnosed_14.asp?sitearea=. Accessed April 10, 2010.
- Carcinoid tumor. American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Carcinoid+Tumor?sectionTitle=Symptoms. Accessed April 10, 2010.
- Sitaraman SV, et al. Clinical features of the carcinoid syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 12, 2010.
- Sitaraman SV, et al. Treatment of carcinoid tumors and the carcinoid syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 12, 2010.
- Connolly HM. Carcinoid heart disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 12, 2010.
- Ghevariya V, et al. Carcinoid tumors of the intestinal tract. Southern Medical Journal. 2009;102:1032.
- Bhattacharyya S, et al. Carcinoid heart disease. Circulation. 2007;116:2860.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 19, 2010.
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