Abstract

Carcinoid tumors are rare and arise from enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract. The rectum is the most common site for gastrointestinal carcinoids. The tumor usually present as small solitary submucosal nodules and multicentricity is rare, occurring in only a few percent of cases. The treatment for a rectal carcinoid tumor is based on the size of the lesion and depth of invasion. Although the present treatment guidelines for multiple rectal carcinoids are controversial, each small lesion of less than 1 cm without evidence of a metastasis can be adequately treated by local resection such as an endoscopic mucosal resection. We experienced a case of multiple rectal carcinoids that were completely resected after a hot biopsy and endoscopic mucosal resection. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2008;37:132-136)

• Keywords: Rectum, Carcinoid, Endoscopic mucosal resection, Multicentricity