Carcinoid tumours are a kind of tumour that originates in neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells receive and transmit messages to and from the body via hormones and are found throughout the body’s organs, says Dr Sanjoy Mandal, the best cancer doctor in Kolkata.
Diagnosis
The following tests and procedures are used to diagnose carcinoid tumours:
Urine examinations
Individuals with carcinoid tumours have elevated levels of a chemical in their urine caused by the body’s breakdown of hormones secreted by carcinoid tumours. Urine examinations are done to examine this.
Imaging examinations
Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), X-ray and nuclear medicine scans can assist the doctor in determining the location of the carcinoid tumour, says the best cancer surgeon in Kolkata.
Endoscopy
The doctor may examine areas of the body with a long, thin tube equipped with a lens or camera. An endoscopy, which entails passing a scope down the throat, enables the doctor to view the interior of the gastrointestinal tract. To see inside the small intestine, the doctor can recommend a test that involves swallowing a pill-sized camera (capsule endoscopy).
Tissue extraction for laboratory testing
A sample of tumor tissue (biopsy) can be taken to confirm the diagnosis. The location of the tumour determines the type of biopsy one will undergo.
Treatment
Treatment for a carcinoid tumour is determined by the tumor’s location, whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the hormones secreted by the tumour, the patient’s overall health and personal preferences, says an onco surgeon in Kolkata.
Treatment options for carcinoid tumours include:
Surgery
When detected early, a carcinoid tumour can be surgically removed completely. Complete removal may be impossible if carcinoid tumours are discovered in an advanced stage. In some cases, surgeons will attempt to remove as much of the tumour as possible to aid in the control of signs and symptoms.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy employs potent drugs to eradicate tumour cells. It can be injected into a vein in the arm or taken orally. Chemotherapy may be recommended in some cases to treat advanced carcinoid tumours that cannot be removed surgically.
Drug therapy with a specific purpose
Targeted drug therapies are directed against specific abnormalities found within tumour cells. Targeted drug treatments can cause tumour cells to die by blocking these abnormalities. For advanced carcinoid tumours, targeted drug therapy is typically combined with chemotherapy.
For more details, contact Dr Sanjoy Mandal, the best cancer surgeon in Kolkata.