Serotonin metabolism in patients with carcinoid tumors: incidence of 5-hydroxytryptophan-secreting tumors. 1978

J M Feldman

The urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, tryptamine, and tyramine and the serum serotonin concentration were determined in 38 consecutive patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors. Four of the 23 patients with the carcinoid syndrome (15%) had markedly elevated excretion of 5-hydroxytryptophan. None of the patients had markedly elevated excretion of tryptamine or tyramine; a substantial number of patients had moderately low urinary excretion of these amines. All of the patients with the carcinoid syndrome had elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion; 2 of these patients had normal serum serotonin concentrations, suggesting that quantitative 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion is the most reliable test for the carcinoid syndrome. Although tryptamine secretion by carcinoid tumors is rare, 5-hydroxytryptophan secretion may be more common than is recognized.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008113 Liver Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the LIVER. Cancer of Liver,Hepatic Cancer,Liver Cancer,Cancer of the Liver,Cancer, Hepatocellular,Hepatic Neoplasms,Hepatocellular Cancer,Neoplasms, Hepatic,Neoplasms, Liver,Cancer, Hepatic,Cancer, Liver,Cancers, Hepatic,Cancers, Hepatocellular,Cancers, Liver,Hepatic Cancers,Hepatic Neoplasm,Hepatocellular Cancers,Liver Cancers,Liver Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Hepatic,Neoplasm, Liver
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009362 Neoplasm Metastasis The transfer of a neoplasm from one organ or part of the body to another remote from the primary site. Metastase,Metastasis,Metastases, Neoplasm,Metastasis, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Metastases,Metastases
D002276 Carcinoid Tumor A usually small, slow-growing neoplasm composed of islands of rounded, oxyphilic, or spindle-shaped cells of medium size, with moderately small vesicular nuclei, and covered by intact mucosa with a yellow cut surface. The tumor can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (and in the lungs and other sites); approximately 90% arise in the appendix. It is now established that these tumors are of neuroendocrine origin and derive from a primitive stem cell. (From Stedman, 25th ed & Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 3d ed, p1182) Argentaffinoma,Carcinoid,Carcinoid, Goblet Cell,Argentaffinomas,Carcinoid Tumors,Carcinoids,Carcinoids, Goblet Cell,Goblet Cell Carcinoid,Goblet Cell Carcinoids,Tumor, Carcinoid,Tumors, Carcinoid
D005260 Female Females
D005770 Gastrointestinal Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, from the MOUTH to the ANAL CANAL. Gastrointestinal Cancer,Cancer of Gastrointestinal Tract,Cancer of the Gastrointestinal Tract,Neoplasms, Gastrointestinal,Cancer, Gastrointestinal,Cancers, Gastrointestinal,Gastrointestinal Cancers,Gastrointestinal Neoplasm,Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer,Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers,Neoplasm, Gastrointestinal
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006897 Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid 5-HIAA,5-Hydroxy-3-Indoleacetic Acid,5-Hydroxyindolamine Acetic Acid,5 Hydroxy 3 Indoleacetic Acid,5 Hydroxyindolamine Acetic Acid,Acetic Acid, 5-Hydroxyindolamine,Acid, 5-Hydroxy-3-Indoleacetic,Acid, 5-Hydroxyindolamine Acetic,Acid, Hydroxyindoleacetic
D006916 5-Hydroxytryptophan The immediate precursor in the biosynthesis of SEROTONIN from tryptophan. It is used as an antiepileptic and antidepressant. 5-HTP,Hydroxytryptophan,Oxitriptan,Oxytryptophan,Tryptophan, 5-Hydroxy-,5 Hydroxytryptophan,5-Hydroxy- Tryptophan,Tryptophan, 5 Hydroxy
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