Carcinoid tumors, lung

Encyclopedia of Cancer, 20050229 by Maureen Haggerty

Some patients who have had lung carcinoids must continue to have regular x rays and blood tests to help doctors detect recurrent disease in its earliest stages. Any patient who has had a lung carcinoid should notify the doctor whenever new symptoms develop. These symptoms could be side effects of treatment or signs that the disease has recurred. A patient who has recovered from surgery should ask the doctor about an exercise routine to restore energy and reduce shortness of breath.

Clinical trials

Researchers are currently investigating whether:

new methods of delivering radiation can shrink lung carcinoids that have not responded to treatment

inhaling chemotherapy drugs can shrink advanced lung carcinoids

biological therapy can starve lung carcinoids by cutting off the flow of blood that nourishes them and stimulate patients' white blood cells to kill cancer cells

new methods of delivering chemotherapy can kill cancer cells without harming normal cells

new combinations of chemotherapy drugs can prevent cancer cells from multiplying

chemotherapy drugs combined with radioactive substances can locate and kill cancer cells without harming normal cells

Information about clinical trials is available from the National Institute of Health's National Cancer Institute.

Prevention

There are no known risk factors for lung carcinoids, and no methods of prevention are known.

KEY TERMS

AcromegalyHormonal disorder causing progressive enlargement of hands and feet and elongation of the face, headache, muscle pain, and visual and emotional disturbances in middle-aged men and women.

Carcinoid syndromeRare malignant disease characterized by facial flushing, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, breathlessness, and other symptoms. Affects fewer than 10% of patients with carcinoid tumor.

Cushing's syndromeHormonal disorder characterized by a round face, mental or emotional instability, high blood pressure, weight gain, or abnormal growth of facial and body hair in women.

EmphysemaAbnormal lung condition characterized by breathing problems, cough, rapid heartbeat. Later stages are characterized by restlessness, weakness, confusion, increased breathlessness, and may cause fluid to collect around the lungs (pulmonary edema) and congestive heart failure.

HypercalcemiaAbnormally high levels of calcium in the blood, causing muscle pain and weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases can result in kidney failure.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

What kind of lung carcinoid do I have?

What treatment do you recommend?

Will this treatment cure me?

What can I do to make this treatment more successful?