What is a carcinoid tumor?
A carcinoid tumor is a type of slow-growing cancer. They are a subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors and usually start in the digestive tract (appendix, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum), or in the lungs.
It is a very rare tumor affecting 1 in every 100,000 inhabitants, although there has been an increase in incidence in recent years. Although it affects patients of all ages, it is more common in people from 40-49 years of age.
Carcinoid tumor usually develops in the digestive tract and lungs.
Prognosis of the disease
The prognosis of carcinoid tumor is not positive. Because it is slow-growing and symptomless, it is usually in advanced stages, or widespread, by the time it is diagnosed.
Symptoms of carcinoid tumor
They are tumors that usually do not produce signs or symptoms until the disease is advanced. However, carcinoid tumors can release hormones into the body, causing symptoms such as diarrhea or redness of the skin. Other symptoms will depend on the location of the tumor:
Carcinoid tumor in the lungs:
- Wheezing or whistling when breathing
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing well
- Diarrhea
- Redness of the skin
- Feeling of warmth in the neck and face
- Weight gain
- Pink marks on the skin, similar to stretch marks
Carcinoid tumor in the gastrointestinal tract:
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to have a bowel movement due to intestinal obstruction
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Pain in the rectum
- Redness of the skin
- Feeling of warmth in the neck and face
Medical tests for carcinoid tumor
The diagnosis of carcinoid tumors is based on a functional diagnosis. Diagnosis can also be made based on the localization of somatostatin receptors on the tumor surface. These levels can be detected with octreotide-labeled scintigraphy. Another diagnostic technique is positron emission tomography (PET).
What are the causes of a carcinoid tumor?
The exact causes of carcinoid tumors are not known. They usually occur when a cell has mutations in the DNA. These allow the cell to continue to grow and divide, and healthy cells die.
Specialists do not know for sure why the mutations that lead to the development of carcinoid tumors occur, but they do know that carcinoid tumors grow in neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells are located in various organs. They develop nervous and endocrine cell functions that produce hormones. Some of the hormones produced by these cells are cortisol, insulin, histamine and serotonin.
Can it be prevented?
There is no specific way to prevent carcinoid tumors. However, it is important to point out some risk factors that may increase the risk of developing this type of tumor:
- Advanced age.
- Women are more likely to develop this type of tumor.
- Family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, which increases the risk of developing carcinoid tumors in the glands of the endocrine system.
Treatments for a carcinoid tumor
If the diagnosis is severe and the patient’s life is at risk, surgical treatment will be recommended. However, in some cases the only option will be palliative treatment, due to the impossibility of surgery. Survival after surgery is around 6-11 years.
In addition, the use of somatostatin analogues has been shown to produce modifications in the treatment of the disease. Also, the use of radiopharmaceuticals bound to somatostatin receptors is being studied.
Which specialist treats it?
The specialist who is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of carcinoid tumor is the Medical Oncologist.