Carcinoid Tumor: Symptoms and Treatment

Abnormal and uncontrolled multiplication of cells in the body leads to formation of tumor. Benign and malignant are two types of tumors. Benign tumors are non-cancerous and can be removed without any harm, whereas malignant tumors are cancerous and can be harmful even after removal. Carcinoid tumors are cancerous tumors that are result of multiplication of hormone secreting cells.

Causes of Carcinoid Tumor

The causes of formation of carcinoid tumors are still unknown. They are formed in the cells that regulate the endocrine system. The cells of endocrine system secrete various hormones. Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, hypothalamus, adrenal, pancreas, gonads (testes and ovaries) are the major parts of our endocrine system that contain these hormone secreting cells. Since the carcinoid tumor is formed from the cell of endocrine system, it is able to secrete hormones. This leads to oversecretion of hormones and further complications. Oversecretion of more than one hormone leads to carcinoid syndrome. 75% carcinoid tumors are found to develop in the hormone secreting cells of digestive tract (stomach, esophagus, small intestine), 24% in lungs and remaining 1% elsewhere in body. Smoking is one of the causes of carcinoid lung tumor.

Symptoms of Carcinoid Tumor

Carcinoid tumor do not show early symptoms, hence it is also called as "cancer in slow motion". When the symptoms are observed, they depend on the location where the tumor has developed. Carcinoid tumors produced from multiplication of hormone secreting cells of digestive tract result in release of hormones in the blood vessel that connects to the liver. There are no symptoms observed as the oversecreted hormones are destroyed by the enzymes in the liver. When tumor is formed in the liver, symptoms can be observed due to improper functioning of the liver. The tumors formed in lungs and gonads also show symptoms, because the hormones secreted by them, directly flow in the bloodstream. If hormones are released in the bloodstream in a large amount, then the patient may show symptoms of carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid syndrome is the condition, when all the hormones secreted by carcinoid tumors are released into the bloodstream. Carcinoid syndrome has combined symptoms of carcinoid tumor in gastrointestinal tract and lung. They may show other symptoms, like increased weight, weakness and high blood pressure.

Symptoms that can occur due to a carcinoid tumor in gastrointestinal tract:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Shortness of breath
• Bleeding in intestine
• Stool with blood
• Face becomes red and warm

Symptoms that can occur due to carcinoid tumor in lungs:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Cough
• Infection due to blockage in windpipe

Diagnosis of Carcinoid Tumor

The symptoms of carcinoid tumor are not observed in its early stages, thus it is not easy to diagnose. Many a times, a carcinoid tumor is found in patient's body during a surgery or a X-ray. The diagnosis test aims at finding out how much the tumor has spread and what treatment would help the patient. A biopsy test is performed to identify the tumor. The following list gives a brief idea about the tests performed.

CT scan, MRI: MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT scan are used to locate the tumor.
Blood test: Increase in the level of hormones in blood may indicate presence of carcinoid tumor.
Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera is inserted and is used to take images of the gastrointestinal tract. Bronchoscopy and colonoscopy are two such tests, where the tube is inserted in the throat and rectum, respectively.
Biopsy: Biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis, wherein a sample of the cell/tissue of the tumor is collected to be examined under the microscope.

Treatment for Carcinoid Tumor

The treatment for carcinoid tumor depends on the location of the tumor. Surgery is the only treatment used, in most of the cases of carcinoid tumor. If possible complete tumor is removed from the patient's body. Sometimes, the healthy tissues around the tumor are also removed to reduce the chances of spreading the cancer. Most of the times, due to lack of early symptoms, the tumor spreads in most parts of the body and it is not possible for the surgeon to remove all the tumors. For the carcinoid tumor that develops in liver, blood vessels (in the liver) that connect to the cancer cells are blocked. Radiofrequency ablation method is also used to destroy the cancer cells present in the liver and lung. Medications are often used to stop the carcinoid tumor from oversecretion of hormones. Medicines cannot cure carcinoid tumor, but they reduce the effects of the symptoms. Chemotherapy, lobectomy, immunotherapy are some other treatments used for treatment of carcinoid tumor.

Most of the cases of carcinoid tumors are detected, after the age of 40. Since the symptoms are observed late, it is difficult to give proper treatment. If carcinoid tumors are detected at an early stage, it is possible to cure it completely. To prevent carcinoid tumor of lungs, smoking should be avoided. About 12,000 carcinoid cases are diagnosed in United States, every year.