LUNG CARCINOID TUMORS

TYPES

Lung carcinoid tumors are divided into two types:

• Typical carcinoids
• Atypical carcinoids

SYMPTOMS

Carcinoid syndrome may cause the following symptoms:

• Flushing (warmth) and redness of the face
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or asthma-like symptoms
• Weakness
• Blood pressure that is too high
• Gaining weight
• Increased amount of facial hair and body

DIAGNOSIS

The following tests may be used to diagnose Lung carcinoid tumors:

• Chest X-rays. This could suggest the presence of a lung carcinoid tumor except in circumstances when the tumor is very small or is concealed by other organs in the chest.
• CT scan. This may be used if chest X-rays aren’t clear. A CT scan produces pictures that show the chest and lungs in a cross-section. 
• Tests of the blood and urine. This may detect abnormal amounts of hormones or other compounds associated with carcinoid tumors. This also measures the levels of serotonin or chromogranin-A might indicate the presence of a typical carcinoid.
• Biopsy. This is a process that involves removing a tiny sample of the tumor or growth to study the cells under a microscope.

TREATMENT

The following are the most common medical treatments:

• Lobectomy. This form of surgery includes the excision of a lobe, a section of the lung. It is used to remove a carcinoid tumor from the peripheral nervous system. During a lobectomy, one of the lung’s lobes is removed.
• Pneumonectomy. The whole lung is removed during this treatment.
• Sublobar resection. Segmentectomy and wedge resection fall within this group. The term “segmentectomy” refers to eliminating a portion of one lung lobe.
• Lymph node dissection. Lymph nodes around the lungs are often removed to see whether the tumor has spread to these nodes and limit the chance of cancer spreading to other regions of the body.

Other treatments include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.