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Endocrine Disorders Neuroendocrine Tumors
Wheezing can be a sign of cancer even when the lungs are free of tumors
Many people know that wheezing is a sign of asthma, but wheezing can also be caused by an unusual type of cancer. Carcinoid tumors are cancers that release an excess of certain chemical messengers, including the neurotransmitter serotonin. This excess serotonin is responsible for the wheezing. Carcinoid tumors are most often found in the intestine where the chief symptom is diarrhea. But they can also be found in the pancreas, liver, lungs and ovaries. These cancers usually grow very slowly, and often go undiagnosed for years.
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