Let's learn about Lung Carcinoid Tumors. Don't be afraid, let's talk!

Have you had a cough for a few days? Maybe with a little sneeze? We usually think of these as symptoms of a cold. But sometimes behind these minor symptoms there may be something else we need to pay attention to. Today we are going to talk about a lung condition that many people have not heard of, but is important to know about. That is Lung Carcinoid Tumors. Don't be afraid when you hear this name and the word "tumor". Let's understand this exactly.

What are Lung Carcinoid Tumors?

Simply put, this is a type of cancerous tumor that forms in the lungs. But it's not as aggressive or fast-spreading as we might think when we hear the word "cancer." These tumors develop from a special type of cell in our lungs called ``Neuroendocrine cells.''

Think of these ``Neuroendocrine`` cells as little messengers in our bodies. They can receive messages like nerve cells, and, like endocrine cells, produce hormones based on those messages to control various functions in the body. Inside the lungs, these cells help control things like the amount of air we breathe and the flow of blood.

So, for some reason, when these cells start dividing uncontrollably, a tumor forms there. This is what we call `(Carcinoid Tumor)`. These tumors can also form in places in the body, such as the digestive tract and kidneys. But about a third of them form in the lungs.

There are two main types of these nuts.

This is very important to know, because the treatment and nature of the disease vary depending on the type.

1. Typical Carcinoid Tumors

This is the most common type . It accounts for 90% of lung carcinoid tumors diagnosed. The best part is that these tumors grow very slowly and rarely metastasize to other parts of the body. Therefore, they can often be successfully treated.

2. Atypical Carcinoid Tumors

This type is less common. It can grow a little faster than the typical type. It is also more likely to spread to other parts of the body. It has also been found that the risk of developing this ``(Atypical)`` type is higher among smokers.

What are the symptoms of this?

Most of the time, especially those with ``Typical'' tumors , many people do not have any symptoms . They are discovered incidentally, as if on a chest ``X-ray'' done for another reason. However, some people may experience the following symptoms:

I will present these characteristics in a table to make them easier to understand.

These symptoms, called `Carcinoid Syndrome`, occur because the tumor produces more hormones than the body needs and adds them to the blood. However, this is also seen less frequently.

Why do these tumors form? What are the risk factors?

Scientists still don't know exactly why these "neuroendocrine" cells suddenly start dividing uncontrollably, but they have found that some people are at slightly higher risk of developing the condition.

• Genetic causes: There is a rare, inherited genetic condition called ``Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).`` People with this condition are at increased risk of developing carcinoid tumors.
• Smoking: Smoking can contribute to the development of tumors, especially ``atypical`` tumors.
• Gender: Women are at slightly higher risk of developing this condition.
• Age: Although it is most common among people between the ages of 45 and 55, this condition can occur in anyone of any age, even young children.

How to diagnose the disease?

Okay, let's say you have these symptoms. When you go to see a doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms, then examine your lungs with a stethoscope. Then he may order several tests to confirm the diagnosis.

1. Imaging: The first step is a chest X-ray . This can help to determine if there is anything abnormal in the lungs. A CT scan (Computed Tomography scan) may be performed to more clearly determine the size and location of the tumor.

2. Blood and urine tests: These tests help to see if certain hormones produced by these tumors are present in the blood or urine.

3. Biopsy: This is the most important test to confirm the disease 100%. What is done here is to take a very small piece of tissue from the tumor and examine it under a microscope. This can also tell exactly whether the tumor is ``Typical`` or ``Atypical``. The most commonly used method to obtain this piece of tissue is bronchoscopy . Here, a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached is passed through the mouth or nose into the airways of the lungs and a part of the tumor is obtained.

How is it treated?

Your treatment plan will depend on the type, size, location of the tumor, and your overall health. In most cases, these tumors can be completely cured .

Surgery

The main and most successful treatment for this is surgical removal of the tumor.

• Wedge Resection: Removal of only the tumor and a small portion of the lung around it.
• Lobectomy: Removal of a lobe, or large part, of a lung.
• Pneumonectomy: Very rarely, if necessary, the removal of an entire lung.

During surgery, several lymph nodes near the tumor are also removed and examined to see if cancer cells have spread to them.

Other treatments

If the tumor cannot be completely removed, or if it has spread to other areas, other treatments may be needed.

• Radiation Therapy: Destroying cancer cells using high-energy rays.
• Drug treatment: Drugs such as `(Octreotide)` are used to control the symptoms of `Carcinoid Syndrome`, and drugs such as `(mTOR inhibitors)` are used to control the growth of the tumor.
• Chemotherapy: Because these tumors are often slow-growing, chemotherapy, which kills rapidly dividing cells, is not usually used. However, it may sometimes be necessary for fast-growing tumors of the ``atypical'' type.

Can this disease be completely cured?

This is a question that many people have. Doctors are a little hesitant to use the term "completely cured" when talking about cancer, because there is always a small chance of it coming back.

Treating atypical tumors is a bit more challenging. They may require a combination of treatments. Overall, 89% of people diagnosed with this disease (including both types) are still in good health after 5 years. This is a very good outcome for a type of cancer.

When should you seek medical advice? When should you go to the ETU?

The most important thing is to pay attention to your body. It is important to act quickly in the following situations.

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