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Carcinoid Tumors
Summary
Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing cancers. They usually start in the lining of the digestive tract or in the lungs. They grow slowly and don’t produce symptoms in the early stages. As a result, the average age of people diagnosed with digestive or lung carcinoids is about 60.
In later stages the tumors sometimes produce hormones that can cause carcinoid syndrome. The syndrome causes flushing of the face and upper chest, diarrhea, and trouble breathing.
Surgery is the main treatment for carcinoid tumors. If they haven’t spread to other parts of the body, surgery can cure the cancer.
National Cancer Institute
Patient Handouts
- 5-HIAA urine test Medical Encyclopedia
- Carcinoid syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
- Serotonin blood test Medical Encyclopedia
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
- Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
- National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
Diagnosis and Tests
- Can Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors Be Found Early? American Cancer Society
- Lung Carcinoid Tumor Stages American Cancer Society
- Stages of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors National Cancer Institute
- Tests for Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors American Cancer Society
- Tests for Lung Carcinoid Tumors American Cancer Society
Specifics
- Carcinoid Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Frequently Asked Questions Carcinoid Cancer Foundation
Start Here
- Carcinoid Tumors Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- General Information About Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors National Cancer Institute
- Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Gastrointestinal Tract American Society of Clinical Oncology
- What Are Lung Carcinoid Tumors? American Cancer Society
- What Is a Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor? American Cancer Society
Children
- Childhood Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors Treatment National Cancer Institute
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoid Tumor National Institutes of Health
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor Risk Factors American Cancer Society
- Risk Factors for Lung Carcinoid Tumors American Cancer Society
Statistics and Research
- Key Statistics about Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors American Cancer Society
Living With
- Living as a Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor Survivor American Cancer Society
- Living as a Lung Carcinoid Tumor Survivor American Cancer Society
Journal Articles
Related Issues
- Questions to Ask about Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors American Cancer Society
Treatments and Therapies
- Surgery to Treat Lung Carcinoid Tumors American Cancer Society
- Treatment of Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors, by Extent of Disease American Cancer Society
- Treatment of Lung Carcinoid by Type and Extent of Disease American Cancer Society
- Treatment Option Overview (Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors) National Cancer Institute
Genetics
- What Causes Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors American Cancer Society