Carcinoid Syndrome: Symptoms & Signs

Carcinoid syndrome is a condition that results from rare hormone-producing tumors called carcinoid tumors that can arise in different locations of the body. Carcinoid tumors are either benign or malignant, and most occur in the gastrointestinal tract.

Carcinoid syndrome may cause signs and symptoms such as facial flushing due to widened blood vessels on the face, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rapid heart rate. Other associated symptoms can include wheezing, red or purplish discoloration of the face and neck, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and heart disease due to scarring and stiffness of the valves on the right side of the heart (tricuspid and pulmonic valves).

Cause of carcinoid syndrome

The hormones produced by the tumors cause the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.

Other Causes of Carcinoid Syndrome Symptoms and Signs

• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhea
• Facial Flushing
• Heart Disease
• Purple or Red Discoloration of the Neck or Face
• Rapid Drop in Blood Pressure
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Wheezing

REFERENCE:

Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.

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