What is a carcinoid tumor?

According to WebMD, carcinoid tumors are tumors that produce hormones, and endocrine system and nervous system cells foster these tumors' development. These tumors are uncommon, and, while they occur in multiple areas, the gut is the most common point of origin.

WebMD notes that people may not know they have a carcinoid tumor for a long time, as these tumors have a sluggish progression and are slow to show noticeable signs. Carcinoid tumors are often found when tests are being administered for an unrelated condition. Fortunately, surgery can completely remove this kind of tumor if it is detected early. Women have more of a chance of developing a carcinoid tumor than men, and African-Americans are more likely to have these tumors than Caucasians.