Abstract
Carcinoid tumors and islet cell carcinomas account for less than 1% of all malignancies. These tumors differ from others in their ability to synthesize a variety of peptide hormones and in their indolent clinical course. Unregulated secretion of pharmacologic quantities of peptides can result in puzzling but debilitating clinical syndromes. The initial diagnosis is often delayed and difficult, because patients present with conglomeration of clinical symptoms that are not uncommonly considered nonspecific and treated symptomatically. Localized tumors are best treated by surgical excision, when feasible, as it remains the most effective method of cure. However, for patients with advanced symptomatic tumors, a number of systemic and regional therapeutic options exist. Recently developed therapeutic agents and treatment methods for these tumors are exciting and mean hope for investigators and patients alike. The currently available therapeutic options are summarized in this paper.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 235-242 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Regional Cancer Treatment |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| State | Published - 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Pharmacology