What are carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumors?                                 This rare cancer is a usually slow-growing neuroendocrine tumor that can produce hormones causing misleading symptoms such as flushing, wheezing, diarrhea, or abdominal pain which can create incorrect and delayed diagnoses. Read our brochure.

How is it diagnosed?
Some of the diseases people with carcinoid are often misdiagnosed as having are menopause, rosacea, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, acid reflux, or asthma. Often, a combination of a few simple blood and urine tests can accurately diagnose the disease, e.g., the 5-HIAA 24 hour urine test and the chromogranin-A blood test.

How is this cancer treated?
There are a number of treatments available to patients and research into new drugs is ongoing. No one treatment regimen can manage all patients at all stages of the disease. Experts in the field agree that a surgery, radiological intervention, biotherapies. clinical trials, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic agents are some of the treatment options.

Is there a cure?
Carcinoid can be cured if caught very early with surgical removal of the tumor, but most times it is diagnosed much later in the disease process. Your donations and grants from corporations and government agencies help fund valuable ongoing research to find a cure.