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Carcinoid tumors - Coggle Diagram
Carcinoid tumors
Hormones produced
- Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT): This is the most commonly secreted hormone by carcinoid tumors. High levels of serotonin in the bloodstream can cause flushing, diarrhea, and bronchoconstriction.
- Tachykinins: These include substance P, neurokinin A, and neuropeptide K. They can cause bronchoconstriction, flushing, and diarrhea.
- Gastrin: This hormone can stimulate the production of stomach acid, leading to peptic ulcers and acid reflux.
- Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP): This hormone can stimulate the production of stomach acid and cause flushing and diarrhea.
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP): This hormone can cause watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and hypoglycemia.
- Somatostatin: This hormone can inhibit the secretion of various hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone.
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP): This hormone can cause headaches and flushing.
- Neurotensin: This hormone can cause vasodilation, leading to flushing and hypotension.
TTT
- Surgery: This is the primary treatment for localized carcinoid tumors. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible, while preserving normal organ function.
- Liver resection: This involves removing part of the liver where the tumor is located. It is typically used for liver metastases.
- Pancreaticoduodenectomy: This involves removing part of the pancreas, duodenum, and sometimes the stomach and bile duct. It is typically used for tumors that have spread to these organs.
- Gastrectomy: This involves removing part of the stomach. It is typically used for tumors that have spread to the stomach.
- Splenectomy: This involves removing the spleen. It is typically used for tumors that have spread to the spleen.
- Lobectomy: This involves removing the entire lobe of the lung where the tumor is located. It is typically used for larger tumors or tumors that have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Pneumonectomy: This involves removing the entire lung where the tumor is located. It is typically used for very large tumors or tumors that have spread to the entire lung.
- Oophorectomy: This involves removing the ovary where the tumor is located. It is typically used for small, localized tumors.
- Hysterectomy: This involves removing the uterus and ovaries. It is typically used for larger tumors or tumors that have spread to nearby organs.
- Chemotherapy: This is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is typically used for advanced carcinoid tumors that have spread to other parts of the body.
- Targeted therapy: This is the use of drugs that specifically target the proteins or genes that are involved in the growth and spread of carcinoid tumors. Targeted therapy can be used for advanced carcinoid tumors that have spread to other parts of the body.
- Radiation therapy: This is the use of radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is typically used for carcinoid tumors that have spread to the bones or other areas of the body.
- Hormone therapy: This is the use of drugs to block the effects of the hormones that are produced by carcinoid tumors. Hormone therapy can be used to manage symptoms such as flushing and diarrhea.
The most commonly used hormone therapy for carcinoid tumors is somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide and lanreotide. These medications mimic the action of somatostatin, a hormone that regulates the release of other hormones in the body. By inhibiting the production of excess hormones, somatostatin analogs can reduce symptoms and slow tumor growth.
Another hormone therapy that is sometimes used for carcinoid tumors is dopamine agonists, such as cabergoline and bromocriptine. These medications stimulate the production of dopamine, which can reduce the production of excess hormones by the tumor. However, dopamine agonists are less commonly used than somatostatin analogs due to potential side effects, such as nausea and dizziness.
- Palliative care: This is the use of treatments to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for people with advanced carcinoid tumors. Palliative care can include pain management, nutritional support, and emotional and psychological support.
The choice of treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including the location and stage of the tumor, the patient's overall health, and the patient's preferences.
CP
- Flushing: This is a sudden reddening and warmth of the skin, particularly on the face, neck, and chest. Flushing can be triggered by factors such as alcohol, spicy foods, or emotional stress.
- Diarrhea: This is a frequent and often urgent need to pass stool. Carcinoid tumors can produce hormones such as serotonin, which can cause diarrhea.
- Wheezing: This is a narrowing of the airways that can cause difficulty breathing and a whistling sound when breathing in. Carcinoid tumors can produce hormones such as bronchial dilator peptide (BDP), which can cause wheezing.
- Abdominal pain: This is a discomfort or tenderness in the abdomen. Carcinoid tumors can cause pain due to the tumor pressing on nearby organs or due to the release of hormones that can irritate the stomach lining.
- Weight loss: This is a significant loss of body weight that is not intentional. Carcinoid tumors can cause weight loss due to the tumor using up a lot of the body's energy or due to the release of hormones that can interfere with appetite.
- Carcinoid syndrome: This is a group of symptoms that occur when the tumor produces excess hormones. Carcinoid syndrome can include flushing, diarrhea, wheezing, and heart valve damage.
Inv
- Imaging studies: These include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound scans. These studies can help to identify the location of the tumor, its size, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
- Endoscopy: can be used to examine the stomach, small intestine, and colon for the presence of carcinoid tumors.
- Biopsy: Biopsy can help to confirm the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor and determine the type of cells present in the tumor.
- Blood tests: These can be used to measure the levels of hormones that are produced by carcinoid tumors, such as serotonin, chromogranin A, and neurotensin. High levels of these hormones can indicate the presence of a carcinoid tumor.
- Bone scans: These are X-rays that are used to examine the bones for signs of cancer spread. Carcinoid tumors can spread to the bones, causing pain and other symptoms.
- Cardiac evaluations: These can be used to assess the heart for signs of damage caused by carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid tumors can produce hormones that can damage the heart valves, leading to heart failure.
Presentations
- Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors: These tumors can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. They may also produce hormones such as serotonin, which can lead to flushing (redness and warmth of the skin) and diarrhea.
- Lung carcinoid tumors: These tumors can cause symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. They may also produce hormones such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, moon face, and high blood pressure.
- Pancreatic carcinoid tumors: These tumors can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, and weight loss. They may also produce hormones such as gastrin, which can lead to symptoms such as acid reflux and peptic ulcers.
- Ovarian carcinoid tumors: These tumors can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular periods. They may also produce hormones such as estrogen, which can lead to symptoms such as breast tenderness and vaginal discharge.
Def.
Carcinoid tumors are a type of slow-growing neuroendocrine tumor that can develop in various parts of the body, including the lungs, GIT, pancreas, and ovaries.
- These tumors originate from cells that produce hormones, such as serotonin, and can cause symptoms related to hormone overproduction, such as flushing, diarrhea, and wheezing.
- In some cases, these tumors can also spread to other organs and cause more serious complications.
- Treatment for carcinoid tumors may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies that block the effects of hormones produced by the tumor.
- Regular monitoring and management of symptoms are also important to manage the disease and improve quality of life.