Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) can release harmful vasoactive substances into the systemic circulation, causing the characteristic features of carcinoid syndrome (CS) such as flushing, diarrhoea and bronchospasm. Approximately 20% of patients with CS develop carcinoid heart disease (CHD) due to progressive valve thickening, retraction and reduced mobility. CHD primarily affects the right-sided valves resulting in tricuspid and/or pulmonary regurgi...

Introduction: Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a rare complication of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and carcinoid syndrome (CS). Approximately one in five patients with CS go on to develop CHD, which primarily affects the right side of the heart; leading to thickened, retracted, immobile and regurgitant cardiac valves that ultimately result in right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction 1 . Patients are referred for valve replacement if they have severe ...

Background: Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a novel driver of tissue inflammation and fibrosis and may contribute to fibrotic complications of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). We studied the VAP-1 expression in midgut NETs, which are associated with desmoplasia, and carcinoid heart disease (CHD), a significant complication of metastatic midgut NETs.Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded midgut NETs and CHD valves were stained for...