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Carcinoid tumors are in general quite rare and occur in approximately 2 per 100,000 people. Gastric and lung carcinoids account for less than 1% of all cases of gastric or lung cancer. It is probable that more people may actually have carcinoid tumors but because carcinoids are often asymptomatic, an individual may never know that a carcinoid has developed. Consequently, the majority of cases are discovered incidentally during a routing medical examination. Carcinoid tumors are more prevalent among African-American males (approximately 4.5 per 100,000 people) than among Caucasian males (approximately 2.5 per 100,000 people). Estimates vary as to whether the incidence is equal among men and women or if it is slightly higher for men. The most common site of carcinoid tumor occurrence for men is in the small intestines and the appendix for women.

While the incidence of carcinoid tumors has increased over the past 30 years, it is not clear whether this is due to unknown factors or if it is due to the improvement of diagnostic testing so that more cases are being identified. With the recent ability to measure serum hormone levels combined with refined diagnostic imaging studies the increase in the incidence probably reflects a greater public awareness of these tumors. The majority of patients with carcinoid tumors present in the fifth decade of life. In general these patients are otherwise healthy and there are no pre-existing medical problems or environmental exposures. Some studies have suggested that patients with carcinoid tumors may have a higher risk of developing other malignancies.