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Related Topics:Carcinoid
Carcinoid is a potentially malignant tumour that occurs in the mucosa of the lungs and digestive tract and potentially in other organs.
Symptoms
Generally, it causes symptoms due to its secretion of neurohormones, causing diarrhoea, flushing and heart disease, as well as other phenomena (such as Cushing's disease); occasionally, haemorrhage and a mass effect are the presenting symptoms. Carcinoid tumors of the small intestine often secrete large amounts of serotonin. The commonest sites are the appendix (60%) and the ileum, and they may occur in ovarian teratoma.
Treatment
Treatment is initially with surgery. Chemotherapy, if the tumour has spread, is of little benefit and is generally not indicated. Octreotide (a somatostatin analogue) may decrease the secretory activity of the carcinoid.
See also
- Carcinoid syndrome
- http://www.carcinoid.org
- http://www.netumoradvisor.org
"Carcinoid"