What are the Signs of Carcinoid Tumor?
The signs of carcinoid tumor vary with the organ from which they arise. Generally, these tumors are found incidentally during an operation or procedure for another disease, such as during an appendectomy or a colonoscopy. Studies have suggested that 1 in 300 people who undergo appendectomy will have a carcinoid tumor found in the appendix. If symptoms are present, they tend to be relatively vague, such as abdominal discomfort. Symptoms which cause people to seek medical attention are uncommon. In the small intestine, carcinoid tumors can cause obstruction or intestinal bleeding. Carcinoids of the colon can also cause intestinal bleeding. Carcinoids of the rectum (very end of the colon prior to the anus where stool is stored) can be found during rectal exam and can cause rectal pain or bleeding. Carcinoid tumors tend to be slow growing, which also contribute to the slow evolution of symptoms. This has led to long intervals between the start of symptoms and diagnosis. The most distinctiv
