Carcinoid Tumors
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing cancers. They usually start in the lining of the digestive tract or in the lungs. They grow slowly and don't produce symptoms in the early stages. As a result, the average age of people diagnosed with digestive or lung carcinoids is about 60.
In later stages the tumors sometimes produce hormones that can cause carcinoid syndrome. The syndrome causes flushing of the face and upper chest, diarrhea, and trouble breathing.
Surgery is the main treatment for carcinoid tumors. If they haven't spread to other parts of the body, surgery can cure the cancer.
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Can Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors Be Found Early? · American Cancer Society
- Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging of Lung Neuroendocrine Tumors · American Cancer Society
- Lung Carcinoid Tumor Stages · American Cancer Society
- Surgery to Treat Lung Carcinoid Tumors · American Cancer Society
- Treating Lung Neuroendocrine Tumors · American Cancer Society
- Treatment of Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors, by Extent of Disease · American Cancer Society
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