Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors

Nationally recognized treatment for intestinal cancer in San Diego

A smiling African-American woman represents the full life that can be led after gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor treatment.

Nationally recognized treatment for intestinal cancer in San Diego

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are cancers that develop in the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These tumors can spread to other parts of the body and require expert, comprehensive care.


Scripps Cancer Center specialists treat intestinal cancers using the most advanced methods. Surgery is the most common treatment, and U.S. News & World Report ranked Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Scripps Green Hospital among the best in the nation for gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery.


Our cancer teams personalize treatment to eliminate cancer while maintaining your quality of life. In addition, our multidisciplinary, collaborative board of cancer specialists reviews complex care plans to ensure patients receive the best possible care from diagnosis to recovery.

Treatment for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine tumors. They begin in the cells of the neuroendocrine system, which helps regulate digestion.


Scripps offers advanced treatments for gastrointestinal cancer, and when possible, Scripps surgeons perform gastrointestinal surgery using minimally invasive techniques that require only a few small incisions and potentially result in a faster recovery and less pain and scarring. Learn more about potential treatment options in the sections below.


If you’re diagnosed with a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, your Scripps cancer care team will develop a treatment plan based on where your tumor is located, whether it has spread and your overall health and lifestyle.


Your Scripps team includes professionals from every area of oncology, including gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and nurses who specialize in cancer care. Learn more about how Scripps puts you at the center of care.

Local excision surgery

Small gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors that have not spread may be removed using local excision, which removes the tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it. Some carcinoid tumors in the rectum may be surgically removed through the anus.


Partial gastrectomy

For bigger tumors in the abdomen, part of the stomach may be removed. Depending on whether the tumor is in the upper or lower part of the stomach, a section of the esophagus or small intestine also may be removed.


Small bowel resection

For bigger tumors in the small intestine, this surgery removes the tumor and surrounding area, and may remove nearby lymph nodes.


Colon resection

This surgery treats bigger tumors in the colon (large intestine) by removing part of the colon and nearby tissue and lymph nodes.


Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Scripps offers a specialized treatment known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors that have spread to the abdominal area. HIPEC treatment, performed immediately after surgery while the patient is still under anesthesia, involves the circulation of chemotherapy drugs in the patient’s abdominal cavity before surgical wounds are closed and treatment is completed.


Chemotherapy

Oral or intravenous chemotherapy may be used to manage gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors that have spread to other areas of the body or are causing severe symptoms.


Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy may be used to manage gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors that cannot be treated with surgery or have spread to other areas.

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor treatment locations

Scripps diagnoses and treats gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors at numerous locations throughout San Diego County. From Chula Vista and La Jolla to Encinitas and beyond, our extensive network of Southern California cancer care centers includes:


  • Four Scripps hospitals on five campuses
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Specialty cancer treatment centers


For details on specific centers and their services, visit cancer care locations.

Support groups, services and resources

As leaders in gastrointestinal cancer care, we know what it takes to fight a winning battle. That’s why we equip our patients with the support and resources necessary to achieve their best possible outcome. From connecting you with support groups and services to empowering you with the latest resources and research, Scripps helps you along every step of your cancer journey.

In support of our patients, survivors, their family members and the community, we host a handful of cancer support groups as well as a range of free workshops and health and wellness events on a number of topics, such as:


  • Nutrition
  • Expressive writing
  • Yoga
  • Meditation


Check the current list of support offerings or contact your oncology social worker or cancer care coordinator.


For info about other cancer support groups in the San Diego community, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.

We are here for you — not only as your oncologists, but as a robust multidisciplinary team of experts who understands that your cancer journey is about much more than your medical treatment. Specifically, Scripps Cancer Center offers a variety of patient support services to ensure your physical, psychological and emotional well-being as well as resources for dealing with the logistical and financial aspects of cancer care. Our services and resources include:


  • Oncology nurses and nurse navigators with extensive clinical expertise in cancer care to help guide you and your caregivers to make informed decisions and ensure your optimal care.
  • Palliative care to provide an extra layer of supportive care to manage pain and relieve symptoms, offer emotional and spiritual support, and improve your quality of life. 
  • Oncology social workers specially trained to provide counseling, connect you with community and medical resources, assist with transportation and housing and coordinate care after discharge.
  • Our registered dietitian nutritionists offer individualized nutrition support for patients whose efforts to optimize their nutrition may be affected by cancer symptoms or treatment side effects.
  • Referrals and professional care from experts in psychology, psychiatry and emotional health, including individual and family counseling to help with the emotional challenges of cancer.
  • Physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy services, including wound care, voice therapy and swallowing therapy, lymphedema therapy, balance and vestibular rehabilitation, yoga and more.
  • Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine for patients interested in mind-body healing through acupuncture, biofeedback, herbal nutrition, massage therapy, integrative cancer care and more.
  • Nondenominational spiritual care offered by our chaplains to help coordinate spiritual care with your own clergy, rabbi or spiritual advisor.
  • Visiting patient services if you reside beyond San Diego and want help arranging appointments or learning more about short-term lodging.


For the full spectrum of offerings, please visit our cancer patient support services section.