carcinoid /car·ci·noid/ (kahr´sĭ-noid) a yellow circumscribed tumor arising from enterochromaffin cells, usually in the gastrointestinal tract; the term is sometimes used to refer specifically to the gastrointestinal tumor (argentaffinoma) .
carcinoid
carcinoid [kahr´sĭ-noid]
Patient discussion about carcinoid.
car·ci·noid (kär s -noid )n. A small, slow-growing, benign or malignant tumor, usually in the gastrointestinal tract, that is composed of islands of rounded cells with small vesicular nuclei and secretes serotonin. Also called argentaffinoma. |
carcinoid
[kär′sinoid]
Etymology: Gk, karkinos + eidos, form
a small yellow tumor derived from argentaffin cells in the GI mucosa that secrete serotonin and other catecholamines. Carcinoid tumors spread slowly locally but may metastasize widely. Also called argentaffinoma, Kulchitsky-cell carcinoma. See also argentaffin cell, carcinoid syndrome.
carcinoid [kahr´sĭ-noid]
1. a yellow circumscribed tumor of the gastrointestinal tract or bronchus formed from chromaffin cells. See also carcinoid syndrome.
2. argentaffinoma.
carcinoid syndrome a symptom complex associated with carcinoid tumors (argentaffinomas), marked by attacks of severe cyanotic flushing of the skin lasting from minutes to days and by watery diarrhea, bronchoconstrictive attacks, sudden drops in blood pressure, edema, and ascites. Symptoms are caused by serotonin, prostaglandins, and other biologically active substances secreted by the tumor.
The specific symptoms associated with this disorder depend upon the site of the primary tumor; tumors are found most commonly in the appendix and the terminal third of the ileum but can also be in the bronchi, ovaries, testes, and anywhere along the entire length of the alimentary tract. The full set of carcinoid symptoms are manifested only when the liver is involved.
Diagnosis of the condition is established by a 24-hour urine test for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the end product of the breakdown of tryptophan to serotonin. Patients with carcinoid syndrome may have very high levels of 5-HIAA, 100 to 500 mg in 24 hours.
Carcinoid tumors are not always benign and should be approached as if they were malignant growths. Surgical excision of the tumor and any associated mesenteric nodes is the treatment of choice. Chemotherapy can be used with metastatic disease, and other drugs are prescribed as indicated to manage the hypotension, diarrhea, flushing, and other symptoms. Efforts are made to improve nutrition and to avoid serotonin-containing foods, such as walnuts and bananas, which are known to precipitate an attack and make accurate diagnosis difficult.
The specific symptoms associated with this disorder depend upon the site of the primary tumor; tumors are found most commonly in the appendix and the terminal third of the ileum but can also be in the bronchi, ovaries, testes, and anywhere along the entire length of the alimentary tract. The full set of carcinoid symptoms are manifested only when the liver is involved.
Diagnosis of the condition is established by a 24-hour urine test for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the end product of the breakdown of tryptophan to serotonin. Patients with carcinoid syndrome may have very high levels of 5-HIAA, 100 to 500 mg in 24 hours.
Carcinoid tumors are not always benign and should be approached as if they were malignant growths. Surgical excision of the tumor and any associated mesenteric nodes is the treatment of choice. Chemotherapy can be used with metastatic disease, and other drugs are prescribed as indicated to manage the hypotension, diarrhea, flushing, and other symptoms. Efforts are made to improve nutrition and to avoid serotonin-containing foods, such as walnuts and bananas, which are known to precipitate an attack and make accurate diagnosis difficult.
carcinoid
a tumor of the gastrointestinal tract formed from the endocrine (argentaffin) cells of the mucosal lining of a variety of organs including the stomach and intestine. In dogs they occur in the duodenum, colon and rectum, producing the carcinoid syndrome. Called also argentaffinoma, argentaffin tumor.
goblet-cell carcinoid
a rare tumor recorded in a dog; more common in human appendix; has characterisitics of carcinoid and adenocarcinoma. Called also adenocarcinoid.
hepatic carcinoid
a rare tumor originating from neuroectodermal tissue in the liver.
Patient discussion about carcinoid.
Q. what is carcinoid tumors? I had my appendix removed and the doctor came in the room very shocked and said it was full of carcinoid tumors. Im scared to get them somewhere else.
A. i think the shock was not to find carcinoid tumors in the appendix...it's your age...you usually find this tumors at people over 60...
i think the next stage is colonoscopy, to look for more, not that you have more, just to make sure. but didn't the Doctor told you that? i would look for a consultation with a gastro specialist about it..
Read more or ask a question about carcinoidi think the next stage is colonoscopy, to look for more, not that you have more, just to make sure. but didn't the Doctor told you that? i would look for a consultation with a gastro specialist about it..
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