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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe signs and symptoms of carcinoid syndrome depend on which chemicals your carcinoid tumor secretes into your bloodstream. They may be triggered by alcohol, stress and heavy exercise. The most common signs and symptoms of carcinoid syndrome include:
- Skin flushing. The skin on your face and upper chest feels hot and changes color — ranging from pink to red to purple. Flushing episodes may last from 30 seconds to 30 minutes or longer. Flushing may happen for no obvious reason, though sometimes it can be triggered by eating food or drinking alcohol.
- Facial skin lesions. Purplish areas of spider-like veins may appear on the noses and upper lips of people who've had carcinoid syndrome for many years.
- Diarrhea. Frequent, watery stools accompanied by painful abdominal cramps may signal carcinoid syndrome.
- Difficulty breathing. Asthma-like signs and symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath, may occur at the same time you experience skin flushing.
- Rapid heartbeat. Periods of fast heart rate could be a sign of carcinoid syndrome.
Keep in mind that many of these signs and symptoms are more likely the result of a condition other than carcinoid syndrome. Experiencing these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have a carcinoid tumor.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that concern you.
- 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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