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Carcinoid syndrome   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Definition:

A group of symptoms typically associated with carcinoid tumor (See also Bronchial adenoma).

Causes and Risks

Carcinoid syndrome is the pattern of symptoms that are exhibited by people with carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid syndrome is most commonly exhibited in patients with carcinoid tumors originating in the small intestine and colon, less frequently in bronchial carcinoids, rare in appendiceal carcinoid. Carcinoid tumors secrete excessive amounts of the hormone serotonin as well as other chemicals that cause the blood vessels to dilate (widen) and also can cause diarrhea and a type of asthma. There are wide variations in the chemicals secreted by these tumors and the consequent symptoms.

Normally, an amino acid called tryptophan is used by the body to manufacture niacin and certain proteins, but in carcinoid syndrome, it gets diverted to form serotonin. Most serotonin is converted by the body to 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA).

The most pronounced and bothersome symptoms include bright red facial flushing, diarrhea (which may be explosively severe), and occasionally wheezing. A specific type of heart valve damage can occur, as well as other cardiac problems.

In children, carcinoid tumors usually occur in the appendix, and removal of the appendix usually results in a complete cure.

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