Suggest Treatment For Carcinoid Heart Disease
Will a PET test show if this has spread to any other place in the body?
Survival can be definitely prolonged
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
In carcinoid heart disease, the cancer itself does not spread to the heart, only the substances secreted by the caner cells affect the heart valves.
So basically we have to control the release of hormones from the cancer cells in liver as well try to control the growth of cancer. This can be achieved by octreotide injections and other medicines. Local therapy to liver, like radiofrequency ablation or surgery can also be done. A whole body DOTATATE/DOTANOC PET scan can give lot of information regarding where all it has spread and help in deciding the treatment.
Even though it may be incurable, long term survival is definitely possible.
Hope this helps.
Regards