Typical carcinoids and neuroendocrine carcinomas of the stomach: differing clinical courses and prognoses

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 200; no. 3; pp. 328 - 333
• Main Authors: Kim, Beom Su, M.D, Oh, Sung Tae, M.D, Yook, Jeong Hwan, M.D, Kim, Kab Choong, M.D, Kim, Min Gyu, M.D, Jeong, Jun Won, M.D, Kim, Byung Sik, M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.09.2010; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Carcinoid Tumor - mortality; Carcinoid Tumor - pathology; Carcinoid Tumor - surgery; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - mortality; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - pathology; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine - surgery; Disease Progression; Endoscopy; Fatalities; Female; Gastrectomy; Gastrectomy - methods; Gastric cancer; Gastric carcinoids; Gastroenterology; General aspects; Health care facilities; Humans; Laparoscopy; Lymphatic system; Male; Medical prognosis; Medical sciences; Men; Metastasis; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine carcinomas; Neuroendocrine tumors; Pathogenesis; Patients; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Stomach; Stomach Neoplasms - mortality; Stomach Neoplasms - pathology; Stomach Neoplasms - surgery; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Tumors; Typical carcinoids; Typical carcinoids; Neuroendocrine carcinomas; Gastric carcinoids; Medicine; Stomach; Treatment; Digestive system; Surgery; Evolution; Neuroendocrine tumor
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.10.028

Abstract Background Gastric endocrine tumors are usually classified as 3 types of well-differentiated endocrine tumors (typical carcinoids or carcinoids) and poorly differentiated carcinomas (neuroendocrine carcinomas [NECs]). Methods From 1993 to 2008, 97 patients (73 men and 24 women) were diagnosed with gastric neuroendocrine tumors at the Asan Medical Center. Results Of the 45 patients with typical carcinoids, 37 underwent surgery (eg, endoscopic resection). Of the 52 patients with NECs, 43 underwent surgery (eg, radical gastrectomy). One patient died of recurrence of the typical carcinoids, whereas 26 patients with NECs died of related diseases ( P < .05). The rates of survival and recurrence did not significantly differ by type of typical carcinoid ( P > .05). Conclusions Regardless of the type, carcinoids that are not yet advanced can be effectively treated with minimal endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery. However, all NECs and advanced carcinoids should be treated with radical gastrectomy.