Carcinoid Tumors, Gastrointes... Health Article

Clinical trials

Researchers are investigating:

• how changes in cells transform normal tissues into gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors
• how effectively specific chemotherapy drugs and surgical procedures treat gastrointestinal carcinoids
• new ways of slowing or preventing growth of gastrointestinal carcinoids by blocking or shrinking the blood vessels that nourish them
• how nuclear medicine can contribute to early detection of gastrointestinal carcinoids

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent gastrointestinal carcinoids or to reduce the risk of developing them, but avoiding the following can prevent symptoms of carcinoid syndrome from becoming more intense:

• alcoholic drinks
• hot, spicy foods
• strenuous exercise
• stress

See Also Cryotherapy; Gastrointestinal cancers; Hepatic arterial infusion; Neuroendocrine tumors

Resources

BOOKS

Goldman, Lee and J. Claude Bennett. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 21st ed., vol, 2. Philadelphia, PA: W.B.Saunders Company, 2000.

ORGANIZATIONS

National Carcinoid Support Group, Inc. 6666 Odana Rd., #146, Madison, WI 53719-1012. <http://members.aol.com/thencsg/info.html>

OTHER

"Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor." CancerNet. November 2000. 31 March 2001 <http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov>.

"Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors." Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors Resource Center. 12 February 1999. April 2001 <http://www3.cancer.org>

"Carcinoid May Be Rare—But If You have It, You Are Not Alone." National Carcinoid Suport Group. 15 May 1999. 31 March 2001 <http://members.aol.com/thencsg>

"Carcinoid Research:There Is Hope." National Carcinoid Support Group 31 March 2001 <http://members.aol.com/thencsg>.

"Carcinoid Treatment:More Than One Option to Consider."National Carcinoid Support Group. 31 March 2001 <http://members.aol.com/thencsg/treatment.html>.

National Carcinoid Support Group Questions & Answers About Carcinoid 31 March 2001<http://members.aol.com/thencsg/info.html>.

Maureen Haggerty

Adrenal gland

—Either of two glands that secrete hormones that maintain the balance of water and salt in the body and regulate the functions of other organs. Also called suprarenal glands.

Cyanosis

—Bluish discoloration of the skin.

Heart murmur

—Abnormal heart sound heard through a stethoscope.

Hormone

—Chemical that is produced in certain cells of the body and that controls the activity of other cells.

Secondary diabetes

—Form of diabetes resulting from damage to the pancreas.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• What kind of gastrointestinal carcinoid do I have?
• What kind of treatment should I have?
• Will this treatment cure my disease?
• What are the side effects of this treatment?