Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor

Sun, Jong Mu; Jung, Hyun Chae

Abstract

Carcinoid tumors originate from the neuroendocrine cells throughout the body and occur most frequently (74%) in the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical course is often indolent but can also be aggressive and resistant to therapy. Clinical manifestations are often vague or absent. Nevertheless, in approximately 10% of patients, the tumors secrete bioactive mediators which may engender various elements of characteristic carcinoid syndrome. In many instances, the neoplasms are detected incidentally at the time of surgery for other gastrointestinal disorders. The tendency for metastatic spread correlates with tumor size, and is substantially higher in lesions larger than 2.0 cm. Management of patients with carcinoid tumors requires an understanding of the disease process and a multimodality approach. Treatment consists of radical surgical excision of the tumor, although gastric (type I and II) and rectal carcinoids may be managed with local excision. However, advanced carcinoid tumor remains incurable.