My mother has been diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome, is it a type of cancer.?

Carcinoid syndrome: Carcinoid syndrome is cluster of symptoms that can include-chronic flushing and/or diarrhea/wheezings which is the result of secretion of serotonin and other vasoactive substances into the systemic circulation. The carcinoid syndrome is primarily associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors usually from the midgut - to the liver. Carcinoid is a type of cancer- neuroendocrine tumor.

Yes, endocrine.: This is a gastrointesinal endocrine tumor that originates in the kulchitsky cells of the gastrointesinal (GI) tract, most often in the appendix, ileum, and cecum. About 5% of patients develop the carcinoid syndrome, with cutaneous flushing, diarrhea, and valvular heart disease. Diagnosis is by finding the tumor or 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid >15 mg/dl in the urine. Treatment is by surgery.

No: The syndrome is flushing caused by a product, 5 hyrdoxy-indole acetic acid, made by a benign tumor called a carcinoid. If there is a syndrome, one needs to find the source, and remove it.

Yes: Carcinoid syndrome is a series of complaints noted by patients with carcinoid of the GI tract secondary to the production of serotonin. It is characterized by diarrhea. flushing of the skin or face ,shortness of breath and wheezing. When the hormone reaches the liver it is detoxified so that to appear, liver mets secreting the hormone is necessary. Treatment requires resecting the primary tumor

Yes: Hi. Yes, carcinoid syndrome is characterized by flushing and diarrhea and is caused by a carcinoid tumor in the gut. The tumor may be small and hard to localize. Her endocrinologist will explain all of this.