Summary: Carcinoid tumors are a slow-growing cancer that can develop in several places in the body. Carcinoid tumors, which are only one subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract or lungs. In the digestive tract, these tumors could grow in the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, or even your appendix. Here you can read up on the signs, symptoms, causes and risks of carcinoid cancer.
Carcinoid tumors are a slow-growing cancer that can develop in several places in the body. Carcinoid tumors, which are only one subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract or lungs. In the digestive tract, these tumors could grow in the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, or even your appendix.
Carcinoid tumors rarely cause signs or symptoms until the later stages of the disease. These tumors can create and release hormones into the body that cause signs and symptoms like diarrhea and skin flushing. Treatment for carcinoid tumors normally involves surgery and medication.
The Symptoms of Carcinoid Cancer
In most cases, carcinoid tumors do not cause any signs or symptoms, which makes early detection difficult. When symptoms do occur, they are usually vague and really depend on the area of the body where the tumor is located. Here are the most common locations, signs and symptoms of carcinoid tumors.
- Carcinoid cancer in the lungs:
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Redness or feeling warmth on your face and neck; skin flushing
- Weight gain, especially in the midsection and upper back
- Purple or pink streaks on the skin that mimic stretch marks
- Carcinoid cancer in the Digestive Tract:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Rectal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- The inability to pass stool due to intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction
- Redness or feeling of warmth in your face and neck; skin flushing
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and they are bothersome and persistent, make an appointment with your medical care team to get to the root of the issue.
Causes & Risk Factors of Carcinoid Cancer
While there is no definitive answer as to what causes carcinoid cancer, most specialists agree that this can occurs due to mutations in the DNA cells within the neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells are found in numerous organs throughout your body. They help to perform nerve cell functions and some hormone-producing endocrine cell functions. The hormones that are produced by neuroendocrine cells are cortisol, histamine, insulin and serotonin.
There are a few factors that can increase your overall risk for developing carcinoid cancer. They are:
- Family history. If your family history includes multiple endocrine neoplasia, know that type 1 increases the risk of carcinoid tumors to develop. In those people with MEN 1, multiple tumors occur in the glands of the endocrine system.
- Older age. Older adults are most likely to be diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor than younger people or children.
- Sex. The female gender is more likely to develop this cancer than the male gender.
Carcinoid cancer is recognized by patients by those who wear a zebra-patterned ribbon. If you suspect that you may have this type of cancer, do not wait to contact your doctor and schedule an appointment to begin testing and screening that may be needed. As with all cancer, early detection is the key!
Resources Used:
ACS
NIH
Reclaiming Intimacy Through H.O.P.E.
Summary: Carcinoid tumors are a slow-growing cancer that can develop in several places in the body. Carcinoid tumors, which are only one subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract or lungs. In the digestive tract, these tumors could grow in the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, or even your appendix. Here you can read up on the signs, symptoms, causes and risks of carcinoid cancer.
Carcinoid tumors are a slow-growing cancer that can develop in several places in the body. Carcinoid tumors, which are only one subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract or lungs. In the digestive tract, these tumors could grow in the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, or even your appendix.
Carcinoid tumors rarely cause signs or symptoms until the later stages of the disease. These tumors can create and release hormones into the body that cause signs and symptoms like diarrhea and skin flushing. Treatment for carcinoid tumors normally involves surgery and medication.
The Symptoms of Carcinoid Cancer
In most cases, carcinoid tumors do not cause any signs or symptoms, which makes early detection difficult. When symptoms do occur, they are usually vague and really depend on the area of the body where the tumor is located. Here are the most common locations, signs and symptoms of carcinoid tumors.
- Carcinoid cancer in the lungs:
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Redness or feeling warmth on your face and neck; skin flushing
- Weight gain, especially in the midsection and upper back
- Purple or pink streaks on the skin that mimic stretch marks
- Carcinoid cancer in the Digestive Tract:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Rectal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- The inability to pass stool due to intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction
- Redness or feeling of warmth in your face and neck; skin flushing
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and they are bothersome and persistent, make an appointment with your medical care team to get to the root of the issue.
Causes & Risk Factors of Carcinoid Cancer
While there is no definitive answer as to what causes carcinoid cancer, most specialists agree that this can occurs due to mutations in the DNA cells within the neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells are found in numerous organs throughout your body. They help to perform nerve cell functions and some hormone-producing endocrine cell functions. The hormones that are produced by neuroendocrine cells are cortisol, histamine, insulin and serotonin.
There are a few factors that can increase your overall risk for developing carcinoid cancer. They are:
- Family history. If your family history includes multiple endocrine neoplasia, know that type 1 increases the risk of carcinoid tumors to develop. In those people with MEN 1, multiple tumors occur in the glands of the endocrine system.
- Older age. Older adults are most likely to be diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor than younger people or children.
- Sex. The female gender is more likely to develop this cancer than the male gender.
Carcinoid cancer is recognized by patients by those who wear a zebra-patterned ribbon. If you suspect that you may have this type of cancer, do not wait to contact your doctor and schedule an appointment to begin testing and screening that may be needed. As with all cancer, early detection is the key!
Resources Used:
ACS
NIH