Carcinoid tumor symptoms do not present in the early stages. Some of the symptoms, if present, may overlap with other conditions. It is essential not to ignore the signs and consult with the doctor. Carcinoid tumor causes include the presence of genetic diseases.
What are Carcinoid Tumor Symptoms?
Some of the common signs and symptoms of carcinoid tumors include:
Abdominal pain
Patients with carcinoid tumors of the stomach usually have abdominal pain as an early carcinoid tumor symptom. In advanced stages, the abdominal pain may be due to gastrointestinal obstruction, infarction or ischemia, and the spread of the tumor to the peritoneum.
Anemia
Anemia is another important carcinoid tumor symptom. It may be due to bleeding and insufficient production of red blood cells. The severity of anemia depends on the location and stage of the tumor.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common carcinoid tumor symptom. Patients with carcinoid tumors have high serotonin levels. Serotonin causes intestinal stimulation, resulting in increased intestinal motility and secretion, resulting in diarrhea.
Fatigue
Diarrhea and anemia in patients with carcinoid tumors result in several symptoms, including fatigue and weakness.
Heart murmur
Patients with carcinoid tumors may sometimes have heart complications due to carcinoid heart disease. Serotonin reaches the heart through the blood and may cause structural changes. Some of the heart-related carcinoid tumor complications include heart murmurs, regurgitation, and stenosis.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a carcinoid tumor symptom in patients with advanced disease that has metastasized to the liver. The malignant cells proliferate in the liver, resulting in hepatic complications.
Hypotension
Hypotension is not a direct carcinoid tumor symptom. However, certain other complications related to the disease, such as carcinoid syndrome or heart-related complications, and side effects of medications may cause hypotension.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may be due to a variety of reasons in patients with carcinoid tumors. It may be due to excessive secretion of serotonin or gastrointestinal side effects, especially in patients with advanced disease.
Rectal bleeding
Rectal bleeding is not a common carcinoid tumor symptom, even in rectal carcinoid tumors. However, rectal bleeding may occur in some cases when there is an ulcer or damage to the lining of the rectum.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath may also be a carcinoid tumor symptom, especially in patients with heart and lung involvement. Heart-related complications, such as cardiac dysfunction and heart valve abnormalities, result in shortness of breath.
Weight Loss
Patients with carcinoid tumors, especially those with gastrointestinal and liver involvement, have weight loss. It may be due to a loss of appetite, a higher metabolism, or malabsorption.
Wheezing
Wheezing is not an early carcinoid tumor symptom except in patients with primary carcinoid tumors of the lungs. It may be due to the narrowing of the respiratory tract.
Carcinoid Tumor Types and Its Symptoms
Apart from the common carcinoid tumor symptoms, certain symptoms are specific to the location of carcinoid tumors. These include:
Carcinoid Tumor in lungs
The following are the commonly observed lung carcinoid tumor symptoms:
Chest pain
Chest pain may occur when the malignant cells develop and proliferate in the lungs. Chest pain may also be a symptom of carcinoid heart disease.
Breathing Problem
Breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, may occur in patients if the tumor narrows the air passage in the respiratory tract.
Wheezing
Wheezing occurs when the lung carcinoid tumor may cause inflammation and airway obstruction.
Diarrhea
Carcinoid syndrome due to advanced lung carcinoid tumors may result in wheezing, diarrhea, and flushing of the skin.
Weight gain
Carcinoid tumors of the lungs may produce several substances, such as ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), that result in weight gain.
Pink or purple marks on the skin
Several chemicals are produced by the carcinoid tumors and released in the blood. These chemicals cause skin flushing characterized by warmth in the face and upper chest.
Redness on face or neck
Patients with carcinoid syndrome may have redness on the face or neck due to excessive secretion of hormones and other substances.
Carcinoid Tumors in the digestive tract
Carcinoid tumor symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract include:
Rectal bleeding
Patients with gastrointestinal tract carcinoid tumors may experience rectal bleeding due to ulcers or damage to the internal lining.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea may occur due to hypermotility caused by abnormal levels of hormones released by the tumors. It may also be due to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract because of carcinoid tumors.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain in patients with carcinoid tumors may occur due to obstruction, infarction or ischemia, and compression of healthy tissues by the tumor in the gastrointestinal tract.
Nausea and vomiting
It may occur in patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors due to elevated hormone levels or involvement of the liver in the disease.
Rectal pain
Patients may have rectal pain due to the excessive growth of carcinoid tumors or damage to the internal lining.
Redness on face or neck
Excessive levels of certain substances may result in carcinoid syndrome. Such patients have flushing and redness on the neck and face.
What are the Carcinoid Tumor Causes?
Many wonder as to what causes carcinoid tumors of the lung. Although we do not know the exact cause, we do know that certain factors increase the risk of carcinoid tumors. Some of the causes of carcinoid tumors are:
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)
It is a genetic condition and is one of the carcinoid tumor causes. The condition is characterized by tumors in pancreatic islet cells, parathyroid glands, or the pituitary gland.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
It is also a genetic condition and is one of the carcinoid tumor causes. It involves the development of carcinoid tumors in the parathyroid, thyroid, and adrenal glands.
Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
It is a rare genetic condition and could serve as a carcinoid tumor cause. Patients with this condition may develop cysts or tumors in various organs, such as the spinal cord, brain, eyes, pancreas, and kidneys.
Neurofibromatosis type 1
It is also known as von Recklinghausen disease and is one of the carcinoid tumor causes. People with this condition may develop carcinoid tumors.
When to See an Oncologist?
It is important to consult the oncologist if the individual experiences weight loss, rectal bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, wheezing, redness of the face and neck, a heart murmur, and breathing complications.
Conclusion
Carcinoid tumor symptoms include abdominal pain, anemia, diarrhea, fatigue, heart murmur, jaundice, hypotension, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, weight loss, and wheezing. The carcinoid tumor causes include MEN1, MEN2, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carcinoid tumors are generally slow-progressing tumors. They take years to grow and show symptoms.
The duration of symptoms depends on the type of symptoms. For instance, episodes of flushing usually last for a few minutes to a few hours.
Although stress does not cause carcinoid cancer, it may worsen its symptoms.
Genetic causes of carcinoid tumors include MEN1, MEN2, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type 1.
Carcinoid tumors originate from neuroendocrine cells.
