Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors of the small intestine are the most common causes of the carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid heart disease occurs in more than half of the patients with the carcinoid syndrome. Patients with carcinoid heart disease who need to undergo surgery should also undergo preoperative evaluation by an expert cardiologist. Treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs aims at controlling the excessive hormonal output and symptoms related to the carcinoid syndrome and at preventing a carcinoid crisis during interventions. Patients with a gastrinoma require pre- and postoperative treatment with high doses of proton pump inhibitors. Patients with a glucagonoma require somatostatin analog treatment and nutritional supplementation. Patients with a VIPoma also require somatostatin analog treatment and intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy. Insulinoma patients generally require intravenous glucose infusion prior to operation. In patients with localized operable insulinoma, somatostatin analog infusion should only be considered after the effect of this therapy has been electively studied.