Carcinoid Tumors – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Carcinoid tumors belong to a group called neuroendocrine tumors. They grow slowly and typically develop in the digestive system (stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon, rectum) or lungs.
These tumors often cause no symptoms until the disease reaches advanced stages. When symptoms do appear, they happen because the tumors release hormones into the bloodstream.
Common signs include diarrhea and skin flushing.
Surgical removal is the main treatment approach for carcinoid tumors. Doctors may also prescribe medications to help manage symptoms and slow tumor growth.
Signs to Watch For
Lung Carcinoid Tumor Symptoms
Some people with carcinoid tumors in the lungs may experience:
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties including wheezing and shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
- Facial flushing (redness or warm feeling in face and neck)
- Weight changes, particularly extra weight around the middle and upper back
- Skin marks that look like pink or purple stretch marks
These symptoms might appear gradually. Not everyone will have all these signs, and some people may have no symptoms at all.
Digestive Tract Carcinoid Tumor Symptoms
When carcinoid tumors develop in the digestive system, they may cause:
- Stomach and abdominal pain
- Frequent diarrhea
- Digestive problems including nausea, vomiting, and bowel blockage
- Blood in stool or rectal bleeding
- Pain in the rectal area
- Facial flushing (redness or warmth in the face and neck area)
The specific symptoms often depend on where in the digestive tract the tumor is located.
When To Contact a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any concerning symptoms that:
- Continue for more than a few days.
- Seem to get worse over time.
- Interfere with your daily activities.
Early detection improves treatment options.
What Causes These Tumors?
Scientists don’t fully understand why carcinoid tumors form. Like other cancers, they begin when cells get DNA damage that allows them to grow uncontrollably instead of dying when they should.
These damaged cells multiply, creating a tumor that can invade nearby tissues and potentially spread to distant body areas.
Carcinoid tumors specifically develop from neuroendocrine cells, which are special cells found throughout the body. These cells have unique functions:
- Perform some nerve cell activities
- Produce hormones like the body’s endocrine cells
- Make important chemicals including histamine, insulin, and serotonin
While doctors know these tumors start in neuroendocrine cells, they haven’t identified the exact triggers that cause the initial DNA mutations leading to tumor development.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase your chance of developing carcinoid tumors:
- Age: Older adults face a higher risk compared to younger people and children.
- Gender: Women have a greater likelihood of developing these tumors than men.
- Family Health History: People with a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN 1) have an increased risk.
MEN 1 is a condition where multiple tumors grow in the endocrine system’s glands. If you have any of these risk factors, it doesn’t mean you will develop carcinoid tumors, but you may benefit from discussing them with your doctor.
Possible Complications
Carcinoid tumors can release hormones and chemicals into the bloodstream, leading to several health problems.
Carcinoid Syndrome
This common complication happens when the tumor releases certain substances into your blood. Symptoms include:
- Skin flushing (redness or warmth in face and neck)
- Ongoing diarrhea
- Breathing difficulties
- Sudden drops in blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
These symptoms often come in waves and may worsen after eating certain foods or drinking alcohol.
Heart Problems
The hormones released by carcinoid tumors can damage heart valves and tissues. This condition, sometimes called carcinoid heart disease, causes:
- Thickening of heart chamber linings
- Damaged heart valves that don’t close properly
- Reduced blood flow
- Symptoms of heart failure
Doctors can usually manage these problems with medication, but some patients may need surgery to replace damaged heart valves.
Hormone Imbalances
Some carcinoid tumors, especially those in the lungs, can trigger the production of too many hormones. For example, they might cause Cushing syndrome by increasing cortisol levels in the body. Signs of this problem include:
| Cushing Syndrome Symptoms |
|---|
| Weight gain in the face and trunk |
| Purple stretch marks |
| High blood pressure |
| Muscle weakness |
| Mood changes |
Intestinal Blockage
Tumors growing in the digestive tract can sometimes block the passage of food. This blockage may cause pain, vomiting, and constipation.
The risk of complications increases when the tumor spreads beyond its original location.
