Carcinoid syndrome

• Facts:
  Constellation of symptoms that are exhibited by patients with carcinoid tumors (small intestine colon, bronchial tubes, appendix)
  
  Tumors secrete excessive amounts of serotonin, that cause blood vessels to dilate
• History / PE:
  Flushing, valvular heart disease, diarrhea (classic triad)
• Diagnosis:
  Elevated serotonin and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA)
  Plaque like deposits of fibrous tissue on endocardium on R side of the heart (pathognomonic)
• Treatment:
  Surgery (complete removal of tumor tissue)
  Octreotide injections
• Complications:
  Niacin deficiency (increased formation of serotonin)
• Differential Diagnosis:
  Rosacea