Five Ways to Prepare for Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor Surgery

Surgery is often recommended as a form of treatment for a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor. Patients whose tumors have not spread beyond their point of origin may only require surgery, while those whose tumors have spread may require chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well.

If you have been told that you must undergo gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor surgery, you may be feeling nervous about the procedure and how it will affect you in the following days and months. To help combat this fear, here are five things you can do to prepare yourself for surgery:

• Pack a bag for your stay in the hospital. You can bring comfortable clothes, books and magazines, games, snacks and other items to keep you comfortable and occupied.
• Learn as much as you can about the procedure you will be having. Understanding what will happen can help relieve some of the anxiety you may be feeling.
• Learn as much as you can about the surgeon who will be operating on you. You’ll want to ensure he or she has ample experience and a high success rate performing the operation you will be having.
• Ask your surgeon about any potential side effects or complications that may accompany your surgery.
• Arrange any at-home care you will need following your surgery.

Where to go for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor surgery

At Moffitt Cancer Center, the multispecialty team in our Gastrointestinal Oncology Program reviews each new patient’s case to determine if and what kind of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor surgery is right for them. Our experienced surgeons can perform several different procedures for patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors, and they will review the specifics of each case before making a recommendation. Patients being treated for a gastrointestinal cancer at Moffitt also have access to a number of supportive care services in a single location to ensure their needs are being met as they undergo treatment.

To learn more about our approach to gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor surgery at Moffitt, call 1-888-663-3488 or complete a new patient registration form online. Referrals are not required.