– Some basic facts you should know about carcinoid syndrome.
– The causes and symptoms of this syndrome.
A carcinoid refers to a form of a slow-growing tumor that originates in the neuroendocrine system which is the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Carcinoid tumors usually grow in your stomach and intestines, but you can also get them in your lungs, pancreas, or rarely, testicles or ovaries.
When carcinoid syndrome is at hand, it refers to a group of symptoms that a person might get or experience if he or she already has a type of cancer called carcinoid tumors.
Therefore, if a person has carcinoid syndrome, it usually means that your cancer has spread to another area, most often your lungs or liver.
This syndrome occurs when a rare cancerous tumor called a carcinoid tumor secretes certain chemicals into your bloodstream.
That is, it starts when the tumors release chemicals into the blood circulatory system of the human body.
Carcinoid tumors occur most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs.
Also, the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome can be similar to other illnesses, like asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and menopause. The symptoms of this syndrome include;
- A rapid or fast heartbeat and one can have trouble breathing.
Carcinoid tumor. - Your skin, face or neck can turn red and also be warm.
- Abdominal pain is also a symptom.
- Bloating and diarrhea can occur.
- Wheezing
- Skin flushing.
Causes of carcinoid syndrome include the following;
1. The presence of carcinoid tumors.
2. Also, when the carcinoid tumors release hormones and proteins into your body. When there is a release of chemicals into the bloodstream.
3. One can also get this syndrome form tumors in the lings, testes or ovaries.
Treatments for this syndrome help the affected individual to live longer and better, it also relieves the pain that the individual experiences.
Up till now, there are no cures for carcinoid syndrome. You start by treating cancer.