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A carcinoid tumor is a neoplasm originating from endocrine cells, belonging to the APUD system (Amine Precursors Uptake and Dekarboxylation). It is a hormonally active cancer, so it actively secretes hormones (including serotonin).
Carcinoidtypically develops in thedigestive tractattacking the small intestine andappendix . It can also be found in the rectum, lung, colon and stomach. Carcinoid tumors most often affect people aged 40-80 years, and as a carcinoid of the appendix, it occurs mainly in younger people.
Carcinoid symptoms
Carcinoid develops slowly. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, it may metastasize, most often to the lymph nodes, liver and bones. Common symptoms include:
- pain
- palpable tumor, sometimes causing obstruction
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- intestinal perforation (rare)
- carcinoid syndrome (on average in 10% of cases)
Other symptoms that may appear include:
- sweating
- itchy skin
- blood pressure disorders
- malabsorption syndrome
- stomach pains
- jaundice
Cancer diagnosis is achieved by:
- X-ray with contrast of the digestive tract
- computed tomography
- ultrasound examination
- colonoscopy, gastro- and esophagoscopy (combined with taking specimens for later histopathological analysis)
- fine needle biopsy
- scintigraphy - a test involving the administration of a radioactive iodine isotope into the blood, which is taken up by cancer cells
- determination of blood markers
- determination of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in the urine
Carcinoid treatment
Treatment is mainly based on the surgical removal of the lesion along with the margin of he althy tissues. In the case of inoperable cancer and the treatment of metastases, preparations belonging to the group of serotonin antagonists are used.
Cancer prognosis
Tumors less than 2 cm in diameter, without metastases (mainly appendicitis carcinoids) - 5-year survival is up to 100%
Resection tumors above 2 cm - 5-year survival is 40Up to 60%
In the presence of liver metastases - the 5-year survival rate is 20 to 40%.