Carcinoid SyndromeSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Carcinoid Syndrome
Carcinoid syndrome is a group of symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors. These are tumors most often of the small intestine, colon, appendix, pancreas, or bronchial tubes in the lungs.
Flush syndrome; Functioning argentaffinoma syndrome
Carcinoid syndrome is the pattern of symptoms sometimes seen in people with carcinoid tumors. These tumors are rare, and often slow growing. Most carcinoid tumors are found in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs.
Carcinoid syndrome occurs in very few people with carcinoid tumors, typically after the tumor has spread to the liver or lung.
These tumors release too much of the hormone serotonin, as well as several other chemicals. These hormones cause the blood vessels to open (dilate). This causes carcinoid syndrome.
The carcinoid syndrome is made up of four main symptoms including:
- Flushing (face, neck, or upper chest), or widened blood vessels seen on the skin (telangiectasias)
- Difficulty breathing, such as wheezing
- Diarrhea
- Heart problems, such as leaking heart valves, blood pressure changes, and heart palpitations
Symptoms are sometimes brought on by physical exertion, or eating or drinking things such as blue cheese, chocolate, or red wine.
Surgery to remove the tumor is usually the first treatment. It can permanently cure the condition if the tumor is completely removed.
If the tumor has spread to the liver, treatment involves either of the following:
- Removing areas of the liver that have tumor cells
- Sending (infusing) medicine directly into the liver to destroy the tumors
When the entire tumor can't be removed, removing large portions of the tumor ("debulking") can help relieve the symptoms.
Octreotide (Sandostatin) or lanreotide (Somatuline) injections are given to people with advanced carcinoid tumors that can't be removed with surgery.
For people with advanced carcinoid tumors that can't be removed with surgery, octreotide (Sandostatin) or lanreotide (Somatuline) injections are given to shrink or slow the growth of the tumor.
Some common medicines, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as paroxetine (Paxil) and fluoxetine (Prozac), may make symptoms worse by increasing levels of serotonin. However, do not stop taking these medicines unless your provider tells you to do so.
Emory At Mountain Park - Primary Care Suite 104
Daniel Halperin is a Family Medicine provider in Lilburn, Georgia. Dr. Halperin has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carcinoid Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Carcinoid Syndrome, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Colonoscopy.
Center For Neuroendocrine Tumors
Dr. Emily Bergsland is a gastrointestinal oncologist at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and the director of the UCSF Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors. She specializes in the multidisciplinary care of patients with neuroendocrine cancers. Bergsland's research is focused on better understanding why neuroendocrine tumors develop, identifying and testing new therapies, and improving outcomes in affected patients. Bergsland earned her medical degree at the University of Minnesota, then completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in medical oncology at UCSF. Dr. Bergsland is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carcinoid Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Carcinoid Syndrome, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor, Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (GEP-NET), and Hepatectomy.
MN - Cancer
Thorvardur Halfdanarson is an Oncologist in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Halfdanarson is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carcinoid Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor, Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Hepatectomy.
Learn more about carcinoid syndrome and get support from:
- The Carcinoid Cancer Foundation -- www.carcinoid.org/resources/support-groups/directory/
- Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation -- netrf.org/for-patients/
The outlook in people with carcinoid syndrome is different from the outlook in people who have carcinoid tumors without the syndrome. Most people with carcinoid tumors will not develop carcinoid syndrome.
In people with carcinoid syndrome, the tumor has usually spread to the liver. This lowers the survival rate. Overall, the prognosis is usually poor.
Complications of carcinoid tumors may include:
- Increased risk of falls and injury (from low blood pressure)
- Bowel obstruction (from tumor)
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Heart valve failure
A fatal form of carcinoid syndrome, carcinoid crisis, may occur as a side effect of surgery, anesthesia or chemotherapy.
Contact your provider for an appointment if you have symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.
Treating the tumor reduces the risk of carcinoid syndrome.
Published Date: July 29, 2024
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 02/24/2025.
De Herder WW, Feelders RA, Hofland J. Neuroendocrine tumors and disorders. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 43.
Gan T, Evers BM. Small intestine. In: Townsend Jr CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 50.
National Cancer Institute website. Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/gi-neuroendocrine-tumors/hp/gi-neuroendocrine-treatment-pdq. Updated September 19, 2024. Accessed February 24, 2025.
Wolin EM, Jensen RT. Neuroendocrine neoplasms. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 213.