In earlier studies it has been reported that patients with carcinoid tumours have a relatively good health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and low levels of anxiety and depression. The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the extent to which psychosocial function changes in patients with carcinoid tumours with time from diagnosis and its possible relation to tumour markers, and (b) to compare the HRQoL of patients with carcinoid tumours with that of healthy Swedish adults. Twenty-four patients reported on HRQoL (the EORTC QLQ-C30), anxiety and depression (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) five times during their first year of treatment. After one year, improvement in nausea/vomiting, flush and anxiety was reported, but there was deterioration of physical function, an increase in muscular pain and problems with dry skin. Levels of tumour markers were not associated with psychosocial function. Patients reported a lower HRQoL compared with healthy Swedish adults. Thus, deterioration of physical function was not accompanied by a deterioration of emotional function, and levels of tumour markers were not related to patients' HRQoL.