Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Chat live online
Select the Live Chat button at the bottom of the page
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
- Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
- Donations, website, or event-related assistance
- Tobacco-related topics
- Volunteer opportunities
- Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
What Causes Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors?
Cancers can be caused by DNA mutations (changes) that turn on oncogenes or turn off tumor suppressor genes. This leads to cells growing out of control. Changes in many different genes are usually needed to cause carcinoid tumors.
For more about how genes changes can lead to cancer, see Genes and Cancer.
Inherited gene mutations
Some DNA mutations can be passed on in families and are found in a person's cells. These areinherited(or familial) mutations. A small portion of carcinoid tumors are caused by inherited gene mutations.
Changes in 4 tumor suppressor genes are responsible for many inherited cases of carcinoid tumors.
- MEN1 (multiple neuroendocrine neoplasia 1). Changes in this gene account for most inherited cases. A smaller number are caused by inherited changes in the following genes:
- NF1 (Neurofibromatosis type 1) gene
- VHL(Von Hippel–Lindau) gene
- TSC1 or TSC2(tuberous sclerosis complex 1 or 2) genes
Most carcinoid tumors are caused by sporadic changes (mutations) in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Mutations are called sporadic if they occur after a person is born, rather than having been inherited.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Benafif S and Eeles R. Diagnosis and Management of Hereditary Carcinoids. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2016; 205:149-68. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-29998-3_9.
Norton JA and Kunz PL. Carcinoid) Tumors and the Carcinoid Syndrome. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015:1218–-1226.
Last Revised: September 24, 2018
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
American Cancer Society Emails
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.