Fewer than 10% of people with carcinoid tumors have or develop symptoms. That statistic may vary, based on the location of the tumor. Because carcinoid tumors grow so slowly, they are usually not diagnosed until age 55 to 65. Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are more common among black people than white people. Black men have a higher risk than black women. Among white people, men and women have the same risk.

Experts don't know what causes carcinoid tumors. If you have a rare disease that runs in families called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), you have a higher risk of getting a carcinoid tumor. You may also increase your risk of getting this tumor by smoking.

Carcinoid tumors can grow anywhere in your body where hormone-producing cells are present. Hormones are your body's chemical messengers that travel through your blood. Most of carcinoid tumors form in the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract.

Updated:: 15/11/2021 []