Carcinoid syndrome

Last revised by Vikas Shah on 4 Sep 2017

Carcinoid syndrome refers to a spectrum of symptoms that result from excessive hormone (mainly serotonin) secretion. 

Epidemiology

Occurs equally between the sexes, most commonly in the 40-70 year age group 3.

Clinical presentation

Diarrhea is the most common and earliest symptom but others include flushing, right heart failure, pain and bronchospasm 4

Pathology

Carcinoid syndrome can occur as a paraneoplastic syndrome in the context of a carcinoid tumor, most commonly a gastrointestinal tract carcinoid.

The presence of the carcinoid syndrome often indicates hepatic metastatic disease, usually from a primary bowel carcinoid tumor.

See also

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