Carcinoid heart disease is a symptom of a larger problem more commonly known as carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid syndrome is the result of cancerous tumors that secret harmful chemicals into the blood stream. Some of these chemicals can cause the thickening of the valves, blood vessels and wall of the heart chamber.
Carcinoid Tumors
The only cause of carcinoid heart disease is the presence of tumors, and the cause of the tumors remains unknown. According to the Mayo Clinic, the DNA within a cell mutates. This cell continues to grow, dividing as it goes, until a tumor forms. The tumor then secretes seratonin and other harmful chemicals into the bloodstream. Once these chemicals make their way to the heart, they cause the linings to harden.
Risk Factors
Although there is no known cause for carcinoid tumors, there are prevalent risk factors associated with carcinoid heart disease. Advanced age or a family history of edocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome can increase the potential for developing the tumors. There is also a correlation between carcinoid tumor development and certain medical conditions such as gastritis and pernicious anemia. Smoking also increases the chances of getting the disease.
Treatment
Carcinoid heart disease can be treated to minimize the affect that the tumor secretions have on the valves, vessels and heart chamber. Treatment is generally restricted to specific medications and/or surgery.
