What type of therapy is often implemented for managing carcinoid tumors?

Carcinoid tumors, which are a type of neuroendocrine tumor, often secrete hormones such as serotonin. When managing carcinoid tumors, the use of somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide and lanreotide, is particularly effective. These medications function by binding to somatostatin receptors, which are commonly expressed on carcinoid tumor cells. This binding results in inhibition of serotonin secretion and helps alleviate the symptoms associated with hormone release, such as flushing and diarrhea.

Additionally, somatostatin analogs can slow the progression of the tumor itself, making them an attractive option in the management of carcinoid tumors, especially in cases where surgical resection is not feasible or when tumors are metastatic. They may also provide symptomatic relief for patients experiencing carcinoid syndrome, which is characterized by distinct flushing, diarrhea, and wheezing due to the excess secretion of serotonin.

While surgery is sometimes a viable treatment option for localized carcinoid tumors, particularly for curative intent, somatostatin analogs serve as a key component of the therapy, especially when complete resection is not possible, or in cases where there is significant symptomatology due to hormone release. Other therapies, such as chemotherapy