Carcinoid syndrome is a medical condition associated with carcinoid tumors. A carcinoid tumor is rare, cancerous and slow growing. People who have carcinoid syndrome often have tumors in the intestines, lungs and ovaries. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that carcinoid syndrome occurs in only about 10 percent of people who have carcinoid tumors, due to the secretion of serotonin and other chemicals in the bloodstream. When a person has symptomatic carcinoid syndrome, the cancer has often spread to the liver or other organs.
Breathing Difficulty
People who have carcinoid syndrome may wheeze or have other breathing difficulties as a result of tumors that are located in the bronchial tubes or lungs. Wheezing and shortness of breath may mimic the symptoms of asthma, according to the Mayo Clinic. Breathing issues may be intermittent and might be brought on by physical exertion.
Facial Flushing
Flushing of the face and upper torso can be a symptom of carcinoid syndrome. Skin color may change to bright red, purplish or pinkish in color and can be very short lasting(under a minute) or continue for as long as a half hour. Researchers are not sure why flushing is related to carcinoid syndrome.
Diarrhea
Tumors in the digestive tract can cause diarrhea and stomach pain. Diarrhea may be severe at times, frequent and accompanied by stomach cramping. Diarrhea is one of the more common symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.
Aggression
A group of researchers from the University Hospital Groningen in the Netherlands published results of a study in a 2004 issue of the scholarly journal "Psychosomatic Medicine" linking carcinoid syndrome and and increase of aggressive impulses. Impulse control and dysfunction may be related to the chemical secretions of the carcinoid tumors, particularly the overproduction of serotonin found in people with carcinoid syndrome.
