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The incidence, presentation, and treatment strategies of abdominal carcinoid tumours are discussed. In the Trent Region of the UK, carcinoid tumours have an incidence of 0.7 cases/100,000 population. The small bowel is the commonest site (36%) followed by the lung (22%) and appendix (13%). Analysis of the presenting symptoms and signs in 24 cases of small bowel cancer demonstrated diarrhoea in 17, pain in 17, and flushing in 12. Treatment strategies comprise surgery and drug therapy. Sandostatin has a role in preventing the release of pharmacologically active tumour products. A long-term trial of Sandostatin in patients with carcinoid syndrome is underway. Experience to dat indicates Sandostatin is indicated: where surgery and drugs (cyproheptadine and codeine phosphate) in combination have failed to control symptoms; where the patient is unfit for surgery; and to cover anaesthesia and surgery as prophylaxis against the risks of carcinoid crisis.
Woods et al. (Tue,) studied this question.