Passionate about Healthcare? Join our team and help us shape a healthier tomorrow!

Health Library

Carcinoid Tumors

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

Find an Expert

Diagnosis and Tests

Specifics

Start Here

Children

Clinical Trials

Prevention and Risk Factors

Statistics and Research

Living With

Journal Articles

Related Issues

Treatments and Therapies

Genetics