Intestinal bacteria and neuroendocrine tumors

Project summary

Patients suffering from the carcinoid syndrome due to a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor have symptoms of diarrhea, hot flashes and shortness of breath that often cannot be adequately treated. Little is known about exactly which hormones are responsible for the symptoms and how delivery to the blood is affected in the tumors.

The carcinoid syndrome is a pattern of complaints that is the result of carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid means “carcinoma-like”, the medical term for a certain type of malignant tumor. Carcinoid tumors are small and grow slowly, but are malignant.

The ultimate goal of the study is to develop new treatment options for patients.