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.
MD Anderson
James Yao is an Oncologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Yao 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, Metastatic Insulinoma, Carcinoid Syndrome, and Pancreatectomy.
Evans Medical Foundation Inc
Matthew Kulke is an Oncologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Kulke 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, Carcinoid Syndrome, Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (GEP-NET), and Liver Embolization. Dr. Kulke is currently accepting new patients.
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 20 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.
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.
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