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What is a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor?

A gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor is cancer that forms in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors grow slowly and generally appear in the appendix, small intestine, and rectum. Often, more than one tumor develops in the small intestine. A diagnosis of a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor increases your risk of developing another cancer in the digestive system.

Treatment for Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors

Treatment for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors initially involves surgery to remove the tumor. If the disease spreads to other parts of the body, additional treatment may given, including:

• Surgery to bypass or remove part of a tumor blocking the small intestine.
• Chemotherapy, which may include chemoembolization.
• Radiation therapy, sometimes with radioisotopes such as radioactive iodine (I131).
• MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine)therapy.
• Biologic therapy and/or hormone therapy.