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5 Facts you should know about
Carcinoid syndrome
1
Carcinoid Syndrome is a rare condition resulting from the secretion of serotonin and other vasoactive substances by neuroendocrine tumors, typically originating in the gastrointestinal tract (most commonly the small intestine) or the lungs
2
It manifests with symptoms such as flushing of the face and upper body, diarrhea, abdominal pain, wheezing, and heart valve abnormalities
3
The syndrome occurs when these tumors metastasize or release hormones and vasoactive substances into the bloodstream, leading to systemic symptoms and complications
4
Diagnosis involves biochemical tests measuring urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), imaging studies like CT scans or MRIs to locate the primary tumor and metastases, and sometimes octreotide scans
5
Treatment aims to control symptoms and includes somatostatin analogs to reduce hormone secretion, medications to manage diarrhea, and in some cases, surgery to remove primary or metastatic tumors
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