Several factors increase the risk of carcinoid tumors. Identifying these carcinoid tumor risk factors and following the carcinoid tumor prevention measures to reduce those risks helps in the effective management of carcinoid tumors.
Carcinoid Tumor Risk Factors
Some of the common carcinoid tumor risk factors include:
Genetic Disease
Although genetic conditions are not directly involved in the development of carcinoid tumors, they do increase the risk of carcinoid tumors and other neuroendocrine tumors. Genetic diseases that increase the risk of carcinoid tumors include MEN1, MEN2, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type 1. It has been reported that the MEN1 gene may cause 5 to 10% of carcinoid tumors, especially in the stomach. Neurofibromatosis type 1 disease may increase the risk of small intestinal carcinoid tumors. Another genetic disease that may increase the risk of carcinoid tumors is the tuberous sclerosis complex.
Race and Ethnicity
Race and ethnicity affect the risk of carcinoid tumors. It has been found that African Americans are at an increased risk of developing carcinoid tumors compared to white people. Further, the prognosis of carcinoid tumors is relatively less favorable in African Americans compared with whites.
Gender
Gender (male or female) also affects the incidence, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of carcinoid tumors. It has been found that females are slightly at a higher risk of developing carcinoid tumors compared to males. It is reported that women have better outcomes for carcinoid tumors, possibly due to a better response to medical treatment. In addition, the disease also affects the patient's quality of life differently and has different social and psychological consequences.
Age
Carcinoid tumors may occur at any age. However, the disease is slow-growing, so the symptoms are not presented until age 55 to 65 in most cases. Thus, there is a considerable difference in the time between the onset of the disease and the diagnosis.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Several underlying medical conditions are also carcinoid tumor risk factors. The location of tumor development depends upon the type of disease. Stomach diseases, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or atrophic gastritis, can also serve as carcinoid tumor risk factors. However, the presence of these stomach conditions does not affect the risk of carcinoid tumors in other organs.
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Another genetic disease that may increase the risk of carcinoid tumors is the tuberous sclerosis complex. The condition may increase the risk of both non-cancerous and cancerous tumors. The site of non-cancerous tumors in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex includes the brain, skin, heart, kidneys, and lungs.
Other Factors
Other factors that increase the risk of carcinoid tumors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a family history of carcinoid tumors.
Carcinoid Tumor Prevention Measures
Although 100% carcinoid tumor prevention is not possible, following certain measures can help one reduce their carcinoid tumor formation risk. Some of the carcinoid tumor prevention measures are:
High-protein diet
A protein diet not only helps reduce the risk of the disease but also helps manage carcinoid tumor symptoms. Protein strengthens the immune system and assists the body in fighting against abnormal cells. Further, a diet rich in protein helps maintain optimal health in patients with carcinoid tumors.
Avoid alcohol and certain foods
Excessive consumption of alcohol for prolonged periods
increases the risk of various cancers, including carcinoid cancer. Limiting
alcohol consumption lowers the risk of carcinoid tumors. In patients with
carcinoid tumors, certain foods trigger the symptoms.
Patients with carcinoid tumors should avoid the consumption of alcohol, vinegar,
yeast, soybean products, smoked and salted fish, and aged cheese.
Avoid smoking
Smoking increases the risk of carcinoid tumors, as the smoke contains several harmful carcinogens that cause genetic mutations, which in turn can lead to tumor formation. Thus, quitting or not initiating smoking reduces the risk of carcinoid tumors.
Reduce stress
Stress may not increase the risk of carcinoid tumors. However, it may worsen the symptoms in patients with carcinoid tumors. The patients should manage their stress effectively through various techniques.
Medications
Patients with carcinoid tumors should provide detailed information about their medical history and the medications they are taking. Certain medications may worsen the symptoms of carcinoid tumors. These include asthma inhalers, decongestants, and antidepressants.
Mind-body exercises
Certain mind-body exercises, such as meditation and yoga, help reduce stress and the severity of symptoms. Further, these techniques and other measures enhance immunity and reduce the risk of various cancers.
Emotional stress management
Emotional stress worsens carcinoid tumor symptoms. Patients should consider managing their emotional stress through music therapy, guided imagery, and meditation.
Conclusion
The carcinoid tumor risk factors include the presence of genetic disease, race and ethnicity, gender, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diseases such as Zollinger-Ellis syndrome, atrophic gastritis, and the tuberous sclerosis complex. Effective carcinoid tumor prevention measures include a high-protein diet, limiting alcohol consumption, stress management, meditation, yoga, music therapy, and avoiding certain medications such as decongestants and antidepressants (as these medications worsen carcinoid tumor symptoms).
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients with carcinoid tumors should avoid vinegar, soybean products, yeast, smoked and salted fish, and aged cheese.
If the carcinoid tumor is not diagnosed and treated, it may spread to other organs, such as the liver or lungs.
Complications of carcinoid tumors include skin flushing, weakness and fatigue, heart complications, lung complications, and gastrointestinal obstruction.
The survival period of patients with a neuroendocrine tumor depends upon the stage of disease diagnosis, location of the carcinoid tumor, underlying medical conditions, age, and overall health of the patient.
