Carcinoid Tumours

Overview

Carcinoid tumour is a neuroendocrine tumours which take place throughout the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the appendix, ileum and rectum in decreasing order of frequency. Appendicular carcinoid tumours are most commonly noted as an incidental finding at appendicectomy. Carcinoid tumours arise from Kulchitsky cells at the base of intestinal crypts. Carcinoid tumors can produce and release hormones into your body that cause signs and symptoms such as diarrhea or skin flushing thus it often don't have clinical manifestation until late in the disease.

Signs and Symptoms

Diarrheoa, Bronchospasm, Facial/upper chest flushing, Palpitations, Tricuspid regurgitation, Abdominal pain

Common Causes

Mutation of the gene in neuroendocrine tumour,, Family history of Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1)

Risk Factors

Mutation of the gene in neuroendocrine tumour, Older adults are at higher risk, Females are more likely to develop, Family history of Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1)

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Urine FEME, Chest X-ray, Computed tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI), Colonoscopy, Tissue biopsy, Tumour markers: chromogranin, for prognostic value

Treatment and Prevention

Surgical resection is usually sufficient for patients with primary disease, Hepatic resection in metastatic disease, Octreotide: somatostatin analogue, Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT): radiation therapy combined with drugs that target cancer cells with a radioactive substance that kills them