Carcinoid Tumor, Gastrointestinal
Growing slowly in our digestive system, gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors cause cancers in the appendix, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum.
These tumors rarely cause any symptoms until after progression. However, see your doctor if you have abdominal pain, bowel obstruction or rectal bleeding. You are at greater risk of developing these tumors if you have Type I multiple endocrine neoplasia, gastric problems like gastritis or smoke tobacco products.
Most carcinoid tumors are found in the tip of the appendix, which is attached to the large intestines. These tumors can secrete certain hormones that cause stomach ulcers and heart disease, among other complications.
Blood and urine tests or a physical exam can diagnose carcinoid tumors. Once diagnosed, prognosis depends on the size of the tumor. The larger the tumor, the more aggressive the treatment needs to be. Treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy, among others.
Recently Answered
- Q Where do gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors usually appear?
-
GI carcinoid tumors can occur throughout the GI tract. Most notably, primary tumors originated mostly to the small intestine specifically the ileum (45%), with the rectum following at 20%, colon 11%, and lastly the stomach 7%. There are three... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q What is the incidence rate for carcinoid syndrome?
-
Carcinoid cancer is a rare form of cancer that is located in the digestive system or in the lungs. It seems to arise in a little over 2 in every 100,000 people. Approximately ten percent of those afflicted with such tumors will develop carcinoid... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Are there alternative treatments for carcinoid syndrome?
-
Traditional forms of medicine are by far the most widely used methods of treatment for carcinoid syndrome. The established medical literature does not generally recognize the use of alternative medicine. Rather, the most common methods of treatment are... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are the tests that detect gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors?
-
Imaging studies and tests that examine the blood and urine are used to detect and diagnose gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors. The following tests and procedures may be used: Physical exam and history Complete blood count Blood chemistry studies... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Can gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors be detected early?
-
You may not suspect you have a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor at first, because this cancer often produces no symptoms early on. Even so, these tumors grow so slowly that about half of them are discovered before they can spread past the digestive... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How is a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor diagnosed?
-
Unfortunately, many cases of gastrointestinal (GI) carcinoid tumors are not discovered until they become rather advanced and, therefore, symptomatic. These symptoms can include intestinal obstruction by tumor, bleeding within the GI tract or... Full Answer
3 Answers
A
- Q How can I help someone with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors?
-
If someone you care for has been diagnosed with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, remember that this type of cancer can often be cured if it is detected early, and even if it has spread, it grows at such a slow pace that a person with gastrointestinal... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What follow up tests are needed for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors?
-
Follow-up tests may be needed. Some of the tests that were done to diagnose the cancer or to find out the stage of the cancer may be repeated. Some tests will be repeated in order to see how well the treatment is working. Decisions about whether to... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Should I change my lifestyle if I have gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors?
-
If you have been diagnosed with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, a healthy lifestyle can make you feel better and help you better handle treatment. For example, if you suffer from flushing due to carcinoid syndrome (a set of symptoms related to... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Is there a cure for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors?
-
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors can often be cured by removing the tumor or tumors surgically. This procedure is especially likely to work if the cancer has not spread to other body parts such as the liver. Still, even people with incurable... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
