Carcinoid Syndrome Symptoms
2. Carcinoid Syndrome
A syndrome is defined as a group of clinical signs and symptoms that occur together and are frequently associated with a specific disease. Likewise, carcinoid syndrome is a set of signs and symptoms that are caused by a carcinoid tumor (one or multiple at a time).
It is well known that roughly one-third of carcinoid tumors metastasize (i.e. to the liver) or spread from an initial site to a different site within the body. When carcinoid tumors secrete chemicals into the blood, these are normally neutralized by the liver before causing any clinical manifestations. However, a carcinoid tumor that has already spread to the liver (advanced stages) will likely cause symptoms, given that it may secrete substances that can’t be neutralized by the organ before entering the blood. On the other hand, some carcinoid tumors can cause symptoms without being in advanced stages. This usually happens because the tumor releases chemicals upstream from the liver, which means that they will not be processed and eliminated through that organ.
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