What Are the Treatments for Carcinoid Cancer?

Unlike standard cancers which are normally named after the specific body part in which they develop, carcinoid tumors can develop anyplace in the body that has hormone cells. Carcinoid tumors are rare, and approximately 75 percent of all carcinoid tumors occur in the gastrointestinal track. Another 24 percent occur in the lungs, with the final 1 percent of carcinoid tumors appearing elsewhere in the body. The tumors are often asymptomatic and so are generally not diagnosed until the cancer is relatively advanced.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of carcinoid tumors in time to provide effective treatment is very difficult, both because they are rare, (approximately 2 out of every 100,000 people is diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor) because there are few symptoms, and because misdiagnosis is common. When early diagnosis does occur, the carcinoid tumor is usually found accidentally while another procedure, such as a colonoscopy, appendectomy or physical, is taking place.

Course of Action

• Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor. For small tumors that have not spread, surgery may be the best option. For larger tumors, radiation therapies (including hepatic artery embolization, ablation or cyrotherapy) may be used to attempt to shrink the tumor so surgery is possible.

Surgery

• Surgery is designed to remove the primary tumor, and if necessary, the lymph nodes local to the primary tumor. The surgical option depends on the location and size of the tumor. When possible, the entire tumor is removed. In some cases, partial removal of the tumor (as much as 90 percent) is possible to relieve symptoms and prolong life. This partial removal is especially common for carcinoids in the liver.

Radiation

• Radiation is used when carcinoids metastasize or when the tumor is not removable via surgery. Radiation is not a cure for carcinoid tumors, but helps relieve symptoms associated with the tumor.

Medication

• Chemotherapy may be used in certain circumstances in the effort to kill cancer cells. Interferon, a drug that helps the body fight infection and kill cancer cells, may also be injected to help fight the tumor. Octreotides are prescribed to help slow the growth of cancer cells and reduce unpleasant symptoms.