What is a carcinoid tumor?

What is a carcinoid tumor?

A carcinoid tumor is a type of slow-growing cancer that starts in neuroendocrine cells. It’s a type of neuroendocrine tumor (NET).

Neuroendocrine cells are found throughout your body, especially your gastrointestinal (GI or digestive) system. They help your body produce hormones and control the release of digestive juices.

Like other types of cells, neuroendocrine cells can change and become cancerous, growing out of control. This forms a carcinoid tumor.

Carcinoid tumors can start in many parts of your body, most often in your ileum (lower section of your small intestine). But they also occur in your:

• Appendix.
• Kidneys.
• Lungs.
• Ovaries.
• Pancreas.
• Rectum.
• Stomach.

Even though carcinoid tumors are slow-growing, they can spread to other organs.