Carcinoid tumor

Carcinoid tumors are slow growing malignancies which occur most frequently in the gastrointestinal tract (about 74%). They can also be found in the bronchus, ovary, lung, thymus, kidney or thyroid gland. Carcinoid tumors are usually identified histologically by their affinity to silver salts, or more specifically by immunocytochemistry using antibodies against their specific cellular products. Survival rates depend on the location of primary tumor, extent of locoregional and metastatic disease, functional status of the tumor and the feasibility of complete surgical extirpation. Clinical manifestations are often vague or absent. Nevertheless, tumours secrete bioactive mediators which may in approximately of 10% of patients engender various elements of characteristics of carcinoid syndrome. Patients with advanced carcinoid disease should be treated with aggressive medical and surgical therapies. (Ref. 103.)