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Intestinal Carcinoid Tumor

Low-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumor Arising from Enterochromaffin Cells

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Onkoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Intestinal Carcinoid Tumor?

Intestinal carcinoid tumor is a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (NET) most commonly arising in the ileum, appendix, or rectum from enterochromaffin cells.

These tumors are typically slow-growing but possess malignant potential, with regional lymph node and liver metastases possible at the time of diagnosis.

Many carcinoids secrete bioactive substances including serotonin, histamine, kallikrein, and tachykinins, leading to systemic manifestations once liver metastases bypass hepatic inactivation.

Symptoms

Vague abdominal pain or intermittent obstruction from mesenteric desmoplasia
Carcinoid syndrome: episodic flushing, secretory diarrhea, wheezing, palpitations
Carcinoid heart disease (right-sided valvular fibrosis: tricuspid, pulmonary)
Weight loss, fatigue in advanced metastatic disease
Pellagra-like dermatitis from niacin depletion (tryptophan diversion)
Often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging or appendectomy

Risk Factors

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)
Neurofibromatosis type 1
Family history of neuroendocrine tumors
Age 50-70 years (peak incidence)
Female predominance for appendiceal carcinoids
African American ethnicity slightly elevated risk

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Recurrent flushing episodes with diarrhea and palpitations
  • Unexplained chronic intermittent abdominal pain or partial bowel obstruction
  • Right heart failure of unknown origin in middle-aged adults
  • Persistent secretory diarrhea unresponsive to standard therapy
  • Incidental finding of small bowel mass on imaging requiring oncology workup

Treatment Methods

01
Surgical resection — curative for localized disease, debulking for metastatic
02
Somatostatin analogs (octreotide LAR, lanreotide) — control symptoms and slow tumor growth
03
Telotristat ethyl for refractory carcinoid diarrhea (peripheral tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor)
04
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (177Lu-DOTATATE) for progressive metastatic NETs
05
Liver-directed therapies: hepatic artery embolization, radiofrequency ablation
06
Everolimus or sunitinib for select progressive cases
07
Long-term surveillance with chromogranin A, 5-HIAA, and gallium-68 DOTATATE PET imaging

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Onkoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.