Abstract

Background
/Aims: Various factors have been reported that can predict the clinical course and outcome of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) carcinoid tumors. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of GI carcinoid tumors and the factors associated with metastasis.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations, treatment modalities and prognosis of 83 patients with GI carcinoid tumors.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 48 years old. The locations of the carcinoid tumors were rectum (n=60), stomach (n=12), duodenum (n=6), appendix (n=4) and colon (n=1). The most common symptom was non-specific (n=65, 79.5%), and the mean tumor size was 11.2 mm. The main treatment modality was endoscopic resection (n=66, 79.5%). Nine patients showed metastasis, and all of their tumors were larger than 2 cm. Univariate analysis revealed that size, ulceration and invasion of the proper muscle layer were significant factors associated with metastasis. Tumor size (p=0.001) was the only independent factor on multivariate analysis.
Conclusions
The diagnosis of small sized, asymptomatic GI carcinoid tumors has increased and endoscopic treatment was a useful modality. Tumor size was a predictive factor for metastasis. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2010;40:347-351)

• Keywords: Carcinoid tumor, Metastasis, Predictive factor