This is probably not a good option except in the most extraordinary cases. Diet and lifestyle can also play a role in the control of symptoms. Almost all carcinoid patients who had or have Carcinoid Syndrome will tell you that prior to treatment a large meal or emotional distress would trigger the syndrome. Statistical and other studies have shown that other foods and beverages such as alcohol, caffeine and some seemingly unlikely ones such as raw tomatoes also may trigger the syndrome in many people. This writer has recently eliminated caffeine intake with very good results.
Regional spread can occur within the organ that contains the primary tumor.
It is not uncommon to find more than one small tumor in the small bowel. Other less common locations include the small intestine, ovary, colon, pancreas and medastium. In a few cases spread to the bone, breast, thymus and kidneys has also occurred. In patients where the tumor is still localized and removable by surgery and who have not experienced Carcinoid Syndrome, surgery usually results in a complete cure. In those tumors that are somewhat larger and have spread to local tissues and lymph nodes but are still completely removable by surgery, average survival is 8 years with a range up to 23 years and more.