Carcinoid Syndrome

WHAT IS IT?

Carcinoid syndrome refers to a rare syndrome caused by carcinoid tumors (composed of neuroendocrine cells) which secrete high levels of serotonin. Typically presents as metastatic small bowel tumors.

WHAT CAUSES IT?

 

WHY IS IT CONCERNING MEDICALLY?

 

WHAT IS THE INTIAL PRESENTATION?

Patient Chief Complaints:

  • Diarrhea that is recurrent in nature
  • Cutaneous flushing 
  • Asthmatic wheezing 

Detected Medical Problems:

  • Right sided valvular here disease: this condition can present with tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis.
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY?

Risk Factors:

 

Medical History:

 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL EXAM?

Vital Signs:

 

Other:

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: SERUM STUDIES

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: URINE STUDIES

Increased urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)

CLINICAL WORKUP: IMAGING

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: 

 

HOW DO WE NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL?

Conditions that present similarly and how to exclude them:

 

WHAT IS OUR THRESHOLD FOR DIAGNOSING THIS CONDITION?

 

PATIENT MANAGMENT: SYMPTOM RELEIF

 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: DISEASE TREATMENT

Somatostatin Analog (i.e. Octreotide)

Surgical Resection:

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES

 

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

 

ARCHIVE OF STANDARDIZED EXAM QUESTIONS 

This archive compiles standardized exam questions that relate to this topic.

 

Page Updated: 03.06.2017