Episodic diarrhea
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by episodes of abdominal pain and altered bowel habits
- Like carcinoid syndrome, may be associated with episodes of diarrhea; irregular bowel habits and abdominal pain may also occur with gastrointestinal carcinoids
- Not associated with rectal bleeding or progressive symptoms that can be seen with carcinoids; postprandial urgency and alternating diarrhea and constipation are common
- Differentiated on basis of history and physical examination
- Ulcerative colitis
- Chronic inflammatory disease involving the colon
- As with carcinoid syndrome, presents with episodes of diarrhea; rectal bleeding may also occur with gastrointestinal carcinoids
- Unlike carcinoids, associated with variety of extracolonic manifestations
- Differentiated on basis of history and physical examination, inflammatory marker levels, serologic tests, and colonoscopy findings
- Crohn disease
- Chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract but primarily involves the ileum and colon
- As with carcinoid syndrome, presents with episodes of diarrhea; irregular bowel habits, abdominal pain, and blood in stool may also occur with gastrointestinal carcinoids
- Unlike carcinoids, may be accompanied by fever and extraintestinal manifestations
- Differentiated on basis of history and physical examination, inflammatory marker levels, serologic tests, and imaging findings