A gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor is cancer that forms in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is part of the body’s digestive system. It helps to digest food, takes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from food to be used by the body and helps pass waste material out of the body. The GI tract is made up of these and other organs: stomach, Small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), colon and rectum.
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors form from a certain type of neuroendocrine cell (a type of cell that is like a nerve cell and a hormone -making cell). These cells are scattered throughout the chest and abdomen but most are found in the GI tract. Neuroendocrine cells make hormones that help control digestive juices and the muscles used in moving food through the stomach and intestines. A GI carcinoid tumor may also make hormones and release them into the body. GI carcinoid tumors are rare and most grow very slowly. Most of them occur in the small intestine, rectum, and appendix. Sometimes more than one tumor will form.
Signs & Symptoms
Some gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors have no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Signs and symptoms may be caused by the growth of the tumor and/or the hormones the tumor makes. Some tumors, especially tumors of the stomach or appendix, may not cause signs or symptoms. Carcinoid tumors are often found during tests or treatments for other conditions.
Carcinoid tumors in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), colon, and rectum sometimes cause signs or symptoms as they grow or because of the hormones they make. Other conditions may cause the same signs or symptoms. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
Duodenum: Signs and symptoms of GI carcinoid tumors in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine, that connects to the stomach) may include the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Change in stool color
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Jejunum and ileum: Signs and symptoms of GI carcinoid tumors in the jejunum (middle part of the small intestine) and ileum (last part of the small intestine, that connects to the colon) may include the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Feeling very tired
- Feeling bloated
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Colon
Colon: Signs and symptoms of GI carcinoid tumors in the colon may include the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Rectum
Rectum: Signs and symptoms of GI carcinoid tumors in the rectum may include the following:
- Blood in the stool
- Pain in the rectum
- Constipation
Treatment
Your OHC doctor will help you determine the best care plan for you. Treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) carcinoid tumors in the stomach may include the following:
- Endoscopic surgery (resection) for small tumors.
- Surgery (resection) to remove part or all of the stomach. Nearby lymph nodes for larger tumors, tumors that grow deep into the stomach wall, or tumors that are growing and spreading quickly may also be removed.
For patients with GI carcinoid tumors in the stomach and MEN1 syndrome, treatment may also include:
- Surgery (resection) to remove tumors in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine, that connects to the stomach).
- Hormone therapy.
