Carcinoid syndrome refers to a syndrome characterized by temporary flushing, cyanosis, diarrhea, intestinal colic, as well as heart valve damage and, sometimes, asthma and arthropathy.
Typically, carcinoid syndrome occurs in individuals with metastatic carcinoid tumors of the intestine that produce large amounts of hormones (these may include histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandins, and polypeptide hormones).
Oncologists and oncological surgeons at Top Ichilov do everything possible to improve the quality of life for patients and relieve them of the numerous severe manifestations of carcinoid syndrome. They utilize the most modern developments in the fields of surgery and pharmacology.
Carcinoid Syndrome and Modern Treatment Methods at Top Ichilov
Treatment of carcinoid syndrome depends on the tumor that causes it. The radical treatment method is tumor removal, which is not always possible. In the case of primary carcinoid tumors of the lungs, radical removal surgery may be performed. For metastases to the liver, there is no effective treatment method. There is also no effective chemotherapy, although some drugs that show certain effects are in development. In this case, the doctors at Top Ichilov focus on treating the symptoms of the disease, such as flushing, pellagra, and diarrhea.
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Diagnosis of Carcinoid Syndrome
The clinical manifestations of carcinoid syndrome correspond to the clinical picture characteristic of a hormonally active malignant tumor that produces serotonin and develops in the ileum, thyroid gland, pancreas, gonads, bronchi, and lungs. Carcinoid syndrome in intestinal carcinoid appears only after the tumor has metastasized to the liver.
One of the earliest manifestations of carcinoid syndrome is flushing in the neck and head area. Then, there are quite sharp changes in the patient's skin color from pale to cyanotic. This is followed by abdominal cramps, malabsorption, diarrhea, left-sided heart pathology, stenosis of the pulmonary artery valve, and rarely asthmatic breathing.
The diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome is made based on the clinical picture. To confirm the diagnosis, a 24-hour urine test is conducted, which should show elevated levels of serotonin metabolites. To locate the tumor itself, various studies are conducted at Top Ichilov, such as
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT
- octreotide scanning
- EGDS
- capsule enteroscopy.
- When the tumor cannot be detected, a laparotomy is performed.