Gastrointestinal ImagingCarcinoid syndrome
clinical syndrome characterized by
abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, wheezing and
flushing of the skin. In addition, fibrotic changes of the valves of the right side of the heart can occur, leading to
pulmonary stenosis and tricuspid insufficiency. It occurs in only 15% of patients with carcinoid
tumour. The carcinoid syndrome is usually a consequence of
metastasis of carcinoid to the liver although occasionally nongastrointestinal primary carcinoid tumours may also produce the syndrome.
Carcinoid tumours of the midgut secrete mainly an amine called 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), whereas carcinoid tumours of the stomach secrete mainly 5-hydroxy tryptophan. These amines together with the action of kallikrein, bradykinin and histamin and gastrine, ACTH and epinephrine are responsible for the clinical symptoms.
ALB