Carcinoid syndrome symposium on treatment modalities for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumours: symposium summary

Objective: To develop a collaborative approach for the treatment of gastroi ntestinal carcinoid tumours and carcinoid syndrome. Participants: Leaders i n the medical, endocrine, radiologic and surgical treatment of carcinoid di sease were selected to present papers at the Carcinoid Syndrome Symposium o n Treatment Modalities for Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumours and participa te in the workshop that followed. Evidence: A multidisciplinary symposium w ith experts in the field of carcinoid syndrome was organized at the Univers ity of Calgary. Data presented, participation of the attendees and a review of the literature were used in the workshop to develop a collaborative app roach to the management of carcinoid tumours. Benefits: Carcinoid tumours a re rare and few centres have large experiences in their treatment. Before t he development of this collaboration, patients with carcinoid tumours recei ved a unidisciplinary approach depending on referral patterns. The developm ent of a multidisciplinary neuroendocrine clinic helped to unify the approa ch to these patients, yet a consensus on the treatment of carcinoid tumours was lacking. The expertise at the symposium allowed for consensus and the development of treatment algorithms, including biochemical screening, radio graphic localization and surgical intervention, for gastrointestinal carcin oid tumours. The role of medical and hormonal therapy after cytoreduction i s presented. Recommendation: Patients with carcinoid rumours require a mult idisciplinary approach to their care.