Carcinoid syndrome describes the hormonal effects of carcinoid tumors, including the secretion of serotonin into the systemic circulation causing episodic diarrhea. Despite the frequent occurrence of this symptom, the healthcare costs and utilization associated with non-infectious diarrhea has not been elucidated. The researchers at PHAR and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation presented their study on the economic impact of Non-Infectious Diarrhea in Patients with Carcinoid Syndrome at the 2015 North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society’s Annual Symposium. They found that non-infectious diarrhea in newly-diagnosed carcinoid syndrome patients is associated with a significantly increased annual healthcare utilization and an additional $30,000 in total annual healthcare costs. The poster can be viewed here.