Question Title: Carcinoid? What is it?

My reason for asking is that i have an inter abdominal lesion that my doctors said is "suspicious for carcinoid tumor". This carcinoid was found via cat scan, but i have sence heard that a cat scan can not differentiate carcinoids from other abdominal cavity tumors or even cysts?

Your thoughts a greatly appreciated as i hate to rush into surgery for something that may be nothing, especially when i feel healthier than i ever have! Thank you Dr.!
Dear D.J.,
Carcinoid tumors are growths that arise from enterochromaffin cells of neural crest origin. Most asymptomatic carcinoid tumors occur in the appendix. If they are less than 1 cm the treatment is simple resection. The most common site for symptomatic carcinoid tumors is the ileum. The prevalence of ileal carcinoid is 2.7 cases per million population (rare). Carcinoid tumors can also occur in the rectum and in the stomach. The most common presentation of carcinoid tumors of the small intestine is episodic abdominal pain consistent with intermittent small bowel obstruction. It is a difficult diagnosis to make. Treatment usually requires surgical resection. On the other hand, a CT scan or ultrasound can pick up abnormalities or liver metastases. Most small bowel carcinoids do not produce hormones and the carcinoid syndrome (diarrhea, flushing). In patients with spread of the tumor to the liver the carcinoid syndrome is more common. Other imaging modalities than can pick up carcinoid tumors include: nuclear medicine scans (131 I-labeled MIBG, octreotide or 111 In-pentetreotide scintigraphy) and endoscopic ultrasound. I hope you find this information helpful.

This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.

If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians’ Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.

HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: carcinoid tumors