Carcinoid syndrome from a carcinoid tumor of the pancreas without liver metastases: A case report and literature review

Abstract

A carcinoid tumor of the pancreas (CTP) is a rare pancreatic neoplasm, and usually presents with carcinoid syndrome (CS). CS consists of the classic symptom triad of cutaneous flushing, diarrhea and valvular disease, and occurs in the majority of patients with liver metastases. In the present study, the patient presented with symptoms of CS. A diagnosis of CTP with CS was suspected due to high levels of urine 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, and this was confirmed by a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Computed tomography showed extended lymphadenopathy, but no liver metastases. The patient was managed conservatively with octreotide long acting repeatable. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second literature case of CS associated with CTP without liver metastases.