Therapy of the malignant carcinoid syndrome

Although usually associated with carcinoid tumors of the small intestine that have metastasized to the liver, the carcinoid syndrome is seen less frequently with primary tumors arising from other organs such as the lung, pancreas, thymus, stomach, and ovary. The clinical features, pathophysiology and diagnosis, and therapeutic considerations of this syndrome are presented. The management of carcinoid crisis and the results of recent chemotherapy trials are also discussed.