All of the following are true about carcinoid crisis, EXCEPT:
One of the most immediate life-threatening complications of the carcinoid syndrome is the development of a carcinoid crisis. This is more common in patients who have intense symptoms or have greatly increased urinary 5-HIAA levels (i.e., >200 mg/d). The crises may occur spontaneously or be provoked by stress, anesthesia, chemotherapy, or a biopsy. Patients develop intense flushing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac abnormalities including tachycardia, hypeension, or hypotension. If not adequately treated, this can lead to death. Ref: Endocrine Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Pancreas. In D.L. Longo, A.S. Fauci, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, J.L. Jameson, J. Loscalzo (Eds), Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e.
It is life threatening
Urinary 5-HIAA levels > 200 mg/d
Can be precipitated by anaesthesia
It does not occur spontaneously