Causes and prevention of carcinoid tumours

The exact cause of carcinoid tumours is unknown. But there are some risk factors that can increase your chances of developing a carcinoid tumour. The risk factors include:

• Gender: Men are slightly more at risk than women.
• Age: It is more common in older people, especially over the age of 60.
• Race: Black men of African descent have a slightly higher risk.
• Genetic conditions: Your risk is higher if you have a rare family syndrome called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) or a condition called neurofibromatosis.
• Stomach conditions: If you have certain stomach conditions such as peptic ulcer or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, your risk may be higher.
• Smoking: Smoking may increase the risk of carcinoid tumours. Research is looking to see if it does or not.

Remember if you have any one of the above risk factors, it does not mean that you will develop a carcinoid tumour. If you are worried about your risk, talk to your GP.

Call our National Cancer Helpline

Freephone 1800 200 700 to talk to a specialist cancer nurse
It's open Monday-Thursday from 9am to 7pm and Friday from 9am to 5pm