Carcinoid tumours Flashcards
1
Q
What are carcinoid tumours?
A
Carcinoid tumours are rare, slow growing malignant tumours that develop in the neuroendocrine system. The appendix and small intestine are common origins. 5-10% of tumours secrete hormones, in particular serotonin.
2
Q
What substance do carcinoid tumours secrete?
A
Serotonin
3
Q
What are the clinical features of carcinoid tumours?
A
Symptoms are caused by the effects of serotonin and its breakdown products on the systemic circulation.
Abdominal pain Diarrhoea Flushing Wheeze Pulmonary stenosis
4
Q
How would you manage carcinoid tumours?
A
Treatment can be pharmacological, using agents such as Octreotide (an analogue of Somatostatin) in order to inhibit tumour products or surgical resection to decrease tumour size.
