Diseases
carcinoid tumor
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Carcinoid tumors are a type of slow-growing cancer that can arise in several places throughout your body. Carcinoid tumors, which are one subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract (stomach, appendix, small intestine, colon, rectum) or in the lungs.
Symptoms
- carcinoid tumors in the lungs: chest pain, wheezing, and shortness of breath
- carcinoid tumors in the digestive tract: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea,
- inability to pass stool due to intestinal blockage (bowel obstruction)
- rectal pain
Causes
- it's not clear what causes carcinoid tumors. in general, cancer occurs when a cell develops mutations in its dna. the mutations allow the cell to continue growing and dividing when healthy cells would normally die.
Risk factors
- family history.
- older age.
- women are more likely than men to develop carcinoid tumors.
Diagnosis
- blood tests.
- urine tests.
- imaging tests.
- biopsy
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is carcinoid tumor?
Carcinoid tumors are a type of slow-growing cancer that can arise in several places throughout your body. Carcinoid tumors, which are one subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract (stomach, appendix, small intestine, colon, rectum) or in the lungs.
What are the symptoms of carcinoid tumor?
carcinoid tumors in the lungs: chest pain, wheezing, and shortness of breath, carcinoid tumors in the digestive tract: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea,, inability to pass stool due to intestinal blockage (bowel obstruction), rectal pain
What causes carcinoid tumor?
it's not clear what causes carcinoid tumors. in general, cancer occurs when a cell develops mutations in its dna. the mutations allow the cell to continue growing and dividing when healthy cells would normally die.
Which medicines are used for carcinoid tumor?
imiquimod, octreotide
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.