Flushing: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Carcinoid tumors are uncommon tumors that are often diagnosed in later stages of the disease due to their indolent nature, vague clinical presentation and overlap of symptoms with other conditions. We report a case of rectosigmoid carcinoid tumor which was found incidentally on screening colonoscopy in an elderly woman that went undiagnosed for several years due to confounding effects of symptoms of posthysterectomy menopause with that of carcinoid syndrome. Persistent episodic flushing with or without diarrhea not resolved with standard treatment should lead to suspicion of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This case report emphasizes the need to broaden our perspective of menopausal symptoms and pay attention to the characteristic clinical symptoms of NETs.