Carcinoid Syndrome

Question 1

How does carcinoid syndrome start?

Answer 1

1. Neuroendocrine cell undergoes uncontrolled cell division
2. Forms carcinoid tumour
3. metastasise to liver

Question 2

What hormones are increased in carcinoid syndrome?

Answer 2

1. Serotonin
2. increased bradykinin
3. increased histamine

Question 3

What are common sites for carcinoid syndromes?

Answer 3

GI epithelium + lungs

Question 4

What are RF for caricnoid?

Answer 4

• Tumours are slow-growing
• Adults»children
• Men 1 gene mutation

Question 5

What are features for carcinoid syndrome?

Answer 5

1. Flushing
2. Diarrhoea
3. SOB
4. Pulmonary stenosis
5. Abdo pain
6. Itching

Question 6

What investigations are used in carcinoid syndrome?

Answer 6

1. Urinary 5-HIAA (screening) (the increased serotonin metastasied by liver in 5-HIAA)
2. CT scan
3. Octreotide scan - specific

Question 7

What do neuroendocrine tumours express?

Answer 7

All neuroendocrine tumours including carcinoid tumours, express somatostatin receptor which provide specific target for imaging

Question 8

What inhibits serotonin?

Answer 8

somatostatin