Is this related to past history

In 1987 I was dx with a carcinoid tumor of the appendix that had penetrated the wall and cancer cells had moved into the colon.

In 2004 I began to have neurological sx that began as tripping and falling, fatigue, muscle spasms, footdrop, dropping things, pins and needles in feet hands and face.

I was originally dx w/ CIDP based on abnormal EVP's, negative MRI and LP.
In 2006 an lesion appeared on my MRI (cervical) and dx changed to possible MS.

However, I have gained no additional MS criteria and my condition continues to deteriorate (thus, TM dx is unlikely)

Is it possible to have a recurrence of the carcinoid after all this time?  Does it ever appear in the spinal cord?

Are there any other diseases that present w/lesion in the spine?

Thanks

[Joanna Fong, MD]

Hi txgirl671,

The cervical spinal cord lesion can be caused by several disease processes.  

1)  Demyelinating diseases (e.g. MS, transverse myelitis)
2)  Tumor (usually metastasis)
3)  Trauma (contusion)
4)  Infection
5)  Vascular insult (stroke)

The symptoms that you listed above can be caused by your cervical cord lesion or the peripheral neuropathy (such as CIDP).  Many things can cause peripheral neuropathy.  Most commonly, diabetes, vitamin deficiency, thyroid abnormalities.  Your doctor may want to check TSH, folate, B12, WSR, CRP, HbA1c.  

Since I am not specialized in oncology, I cannot tell you the likelihood for spinal cord metastasis of carcinoid tumor.  Certainly, carcinoid tumor can spread to spinal cord.  MRI cervical spine WITH contrast is an important study to differentiate the different possible etiologies.  Please seek further medical recommendation from your oncologist.

Thanks for using MedHelp Forum.


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[txgirl671]

I also have abnormal emg/ncv