Carcinoid Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of carcinoid tumors is unknown, but a genetic link for this type of cancer is suspected. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a genetic disorder that increases the risk for neuroendocrine tumors, including carcinoids. Gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., peptic ulcer disease, pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) increase the risk for carcinoid tumors of the GI tract.
Unlike other types of lung cancer, carcinoids of the respiratory tract are not related to smoking.
