The occurrence of malignant carcinoid syndrome in patients with carcinoid tumors.
BACKGROUND
The carcinoid syndrome occurs in about 10% of patients with carcinoid tumors.


OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the present study was to determine the presence of the carcinoid syndrome in a group of patients with carcinoid tumor.


METHODS
35 pts with carcinoid tumors (group A--24 pts with metastatic disease, group B--11 pts after resection of the primary tumor with no metastases detected at the time of the investigation) were included into the study. The localisation and the diameter of the primary tumor were ascertained. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy--Octreoscan and echocardiography were done. The urinary excretion of 5-HIAA was performed. We estimated the presence of the carcinoid syndrome in all patients.


RESULTS
We confirmed the difference in the diameter of the primary carcinoid tumor in patients with metastases--group A 3.0 (2.5-4.2) cm by comparison with group B 0.7 (0.6-0.8) cm, (p < 0.001). Patients in the metastatic group are older 64 year (42-70) than pts without metastases--33 y (20-54) (p < 0.01). The amount of the 5-hydroxyindolacetate acid in urine in pts with metastatic carcinoid was statistically significantly higher than in the pts without metastases (p < 0.001). The carcinoid syndrome in the metastatic group was found in 6 patients (25%), with maximum (12.5%) localised in midgut. Out of the whole sample it counts up to 15.1%. During the follow up period, 8 patients from group A died.


CONCLUSIONS
The large diameter of the primary carcinoid tumor and the higher age are the bad prognostic factors in patients with carcinoid tumors. (Tab. 4, Ref. 27.)
Kinova
S
S
Ist Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia. kinova@faneba.sk
Duris
I
I
Bulas
J
J
Murin
J
J
Kovacova
E
E
Stenova
E
E
Jurkovicova
I
I
Makaiova
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008303:Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology
D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid