Gastric carcinoids--a clinicopathologic study.

AIM: Our objective was to document the clinical and pathological findings in eight patients with gastric carcinoids seen in our institution over a 16-year period (1980-96). METHODS: All cases reported during this period as microcarcinoids, atypical carcinoids and mixed carcinoid-carcinoma of the stomach were retrieved from pathology records. Eight cases with typical histologic features of carcinoid were studied. RESULTS: Seven cases were men (median age 53 years, range 35-55). Four patients presented with upper abdominal pain. Serum gastrin level was elevated in two cases. The endoscopic appearances and the endoscopic biopsy histology were not diagnostic. Surgical treatment ranged from simple nodule excision to partial, subtotal or extended gastrectomy and Whipple's pancreatico-duodenectomy. Lymph node and liver metastasis were seen in four patients each. The median duration of follow-up was one year. CONCLUSION: Gastric carcinoids have varied etiopathogenesis. These may arise in a background of hypergastrinemic conditions or may be sporadic. Most appear to be slow growing but aggressive neoplasms are capable of distant metastasis.