-
Most common
gastrointestinal endocrine tumor (75% of such neoplasms)
-
Carcinoid refers to tumor
slow growth (4-5 years between onset of symptoms
and diagnosis) and initial underestimation of
malignant potential.
-
Tumor properties:
-
Arise from
neuroendocrine cells {neuroendocrine cells are
most common in: the gastrointestinal
tract, pulmonary bronchi, pancreas}
-
Tumors are most
commonly found in the appendix, ileum,
and rectum (may
be found anywhere from the stomach to the
rectum)
-
In the small
intestine: carcinoid tumors -- one of the
two most common malignancies.
-
90% of
carcinoid tumors derived from
enterochromaffin (Kulchitsky cells)
within the gastrointestinal tract
-
From a small, primary
tumor, peritoneal and mesenteric spread
induces by fibrotic reactions (causing obstruction,
vascular compromise, intestinal kinking).
Gastric
carcinoid tumor may arise from:
-
Carcinoid
Syndrome:
Kaplan, L,M. Endocrine
Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Pancreas In Harrison's
Principles of Internal Medicine 14th edition, (Isselbacher, K.J.,
and Braunwald, E., Wilson, J.D., Martin, J.B., Fauci, A.S.
and Kasper, D.L., eds) McGraw-Hill, Inc (Health Professions
Division), 1998, pp. 584-592.
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