MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Serotonin uptake

Medical Encyclopedia

Serotonin uptake

Carcinoid syndrome is the pattern of symptoms that typically are exhibited by people with carcinoid tumors. The symptoms include bright red facial flushing, diarrhea, and occasionally wheezing. A specific type of heart valve damage can occur, as well as other cardiac problems. Carcinoid tumors secrete excessive amounts of the hormone serotonin. Surgery with complete removal of the tumor tissue is the ideal treatment. It can result in a permanent cure if it is possible to remove the tumor entirely.

Update Date: 9/4/2008

Updated by: Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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