Treatment of the carcinoid tumor and the malignant carcinoid syndrome

Certainly in treatment of the carcinoid tumor surgery has a well-established curative and palliative potential. The primary challenge is a knowledgable marriage between stage of disease and aggressiveness of operative procedure. Nonsurgical treatment of the malignant disease per se has thus far not produced optimum results and, in the opinion of this author, should still be confined to a clinical research setting. It would seem very doubtful, however, that the more mundane types of trials, empirically testing drug after drug and arbitrarily concocted drug combinations, is the most productive road to follow. There is an evident need for more sophisticated approaches to this tumor, which has unique metabolic characteristics that should be pharmacologically exploitable. Past experience has indicated that such a setting may permit dramatic therapeutic accomplishment. There is a strong need for animal models or established cell lines which would facilitate preclinical therapeutic exploration. The carcinoid syndrome presents an unparalleled opportunity for fundamental physiologic observations and for experimental therapeutic study that can have applicability not only in palliating the syndrome itself but also in the management of other pathophysiologic states that may involve more subtle abnormalities of the same hormonal mechanisms. The patient with the carcinoid tumor should not just be a fascinating curio for grand rounds exhibition. He should be a focal point for research involving an experienced, multidisciplinary clinical team supported by devoted basic scientists. If our patient resources and efforts can be concentrated in this manner, the carcinoid should be a strong candidate for the next medically curable human cancer.