CARCINOID SYNDROME Meaning and
Definition
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Carcinoid syndrome is a rare group of symptoms that occur as a result of a carcinoid tumor. Carcinoid tumors are slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors that typically arise from the digestive tract, particularly the appendix, intestines, or lungs. These tumors secrete excessive amounts of chemicals, such as serotonin, which can lead to the development of carcinoid syndrome.
The syndrome is characterized by various symptoms, including flushing of the skin, primarily in the face and neck, diarrhea, wheezing, and abdominal cramping. Flushing refers to sudden reddening and warmth of the skin, often accompanied by a sensation of heat. Diarrhea may be watery or oily and can occur frequently. Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound produced during breathing due to narrowing of the airways. Abdominal cramping refers to recurring pain or discomfort in the abdomen.
Carcinoid syndrome arises when the excess chemicals released by the tumor enter the bloodstream rather than being broken down in the liver. This can result in the symptoms mentioned above. In some cases, the syndrome may also lead to heart valve abnormalities and sudden drops in blood pressure.
The diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome involves a thorough physical examination, evaluation of symptoms, laboratory tests to assess hormone levels, imaging studies to locate and determine the extent of the tumor, and sometimes a biopsy to confirm the presence of a carcinoid tumor.
Treatment options for carcinoid syndrome primarily aim to manage symptoms and control tumor growth. Medications may be prescribed to alleviate flushing, diarrhea, and wheezing. Surgery, radiation therapy, or targeted drug therapy might be pursued to remove or control the tumor. Additional treatments may be suggested to address complications such as heart valve abnormalities.
Common Misspellings for CARCINOID SYNDROME
- xarcinoid syndrome
- varcinoid syndrome
- farcinoid syndrome
- darcinoid syndrome
- czrcinoid syndrome
- csrcinoid syndrome
- cwrcinoid syndrome
- cqrcinoid syndrome
- caecinoid syndrome
- cadcinoid syndrome
- cafcinoid syndrome
- catcinoid syndrome
- ca5cinoid syndrome
- ca4cinoid syndrome
- carxinoid syndrome
- carvinoid syndrome
- carfinoid syndrome
- cardinoid syndrome
- carcunoid syndrome
- carcjnoid syndrome
Etymology of CARCINOID SYNDROME
The word "carcinoid" originated from the Greek words "karkinos" meaning "crab" and "eidos" meaning "form" or "shape". This term was initially used to describe tumors with a crab-like appearance due to their tentacle-like projections.
The term "syndrome" comes from the Greek word "syndromos" meaning "a concurrence of symptoms", referring to a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and indicate a particular condition or disease.
Therefore, the etymology of "carcinoid syndrome" stems from the appearance of the tumors (carcinoid) and the collection of symptoms (syndrome) associated with the condition.
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