The treatment options for carcinoid syndrome depend on the location and size of the tumor, as well as the specific symptoms being experienced. Some common treatment options include:
- Surgery: This is often the first line of treatment for carcinoid tumors. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor completely. Surgery may be curative if the tumor is localized and resectable.
- Chemotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery, or to slow its growth after surgery.
- Radiotherapy: This treatment uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery, or to slow its growth after surgery.
- Liver directed therapy. This treatment kills cancer cells in your liver by blocking their blood supply. Your doctor threads a tube called a catheter into one of the arteries that carries blood to your liver. Then, they inject particles that block the blood flow to liver tumors.
- Biologic therapy: This treatment uses drugs that target specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
- Symptomatic treatment: This includes medications to control specific symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome, such as octreotide, a somatostatin analog, to reduce the secretion of hormones from the tumor, and to decrease the symptoms of diarrhea and flushing.
- Interventional radiology: This is a minimally invasive technique that uses an angiographic catheter to embolize the blood vessels that feed the tumor.
Lifestyle Changes
You can make smaller changes to curb the effects of carcinoid syndrome. For instance, avoid certain foods and drinks that can trigger symptoms:
- Alcohol
- Nuts
- Cheese
- Chili peppers
- Hot liquids
It might take some trial and error to learn which are triggers for you. Your intestines could have trouble absorbing nutrients, which can lead to weight loss, weakness, and other problems. Try to eat a healthy diet, and ask your doctor whether you need to take vitamins or supplements.
Carcinoid Syndrome Outlook
Treatment might make the tumors go away. But the cancer may not be gone completely, or it could return. You may need regular therapy to keep it in check for as long as possible.
If your treatment stops working, you can focus on making sure you’re as comfortable as possible. This is called palliative care.
It’s important to note that the best treatment option will depend on the individual case, and will be determined by the patient’s medical history and the stage of the tumor. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be used.