CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CARCINOID DISEASE

Carcinoid tumors are relatively uncommon tumors and their presentation is varied. For these reasons, a high index of suspicion is necessary in order to consider the diagnosis. It is important to separate the '' syndrome'' from the primary tumor. It is obviously more effective to d iagnose the tumor itself before the syndrome manifests itself, usually as a result of metastatic disease. Since the tumors are characteristi cally slow-growing, the physician may be misled into thinking the pati ent has functional problems rather than a tumor. Some data and guideli nes are given for focusing on the signs and symptoms of carcinoid dise ase.