Carcinoid tumors

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Factors that increase the risk of carcinoid tumors include:

  • Older age. Older adults are more likely to be diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor than are younger people or children.
  • Family history. A family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I) syndrome increases the risk of carcinoid tumors. In people with MEN I syndrome, multiple tumors occur in glands of the endocrine system.
  • Smoking. Smoking tobacco may increase the risk of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.
  • Other medical conditions. Conditions that affect the stomach's ability to produce acid, such as gastritis, pernicious anemia and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, can increase your risk of gastrointestinal carcinoids.

DS00834

Sept. 27, 2008

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