Atypical endoscopic features can be associated with metastasis in rectal carcinoid tumors.
BACKGROUND
Endoscopically, rectal carcinoids have a variety of sizes and features which may assist in determining treatment plans. The present study was performed to assess the relationship between endoscopic features and metastasis in rectal carcinoids.


METHODS
A total of 115 rectal carcinoids of 112 patients with rectal carcinoids were enrolled, and the medical records were retrospectively reviewed. All tumors were classified according to size (longest diameter), and then according to endoscopic features such as shape, color, and surface changes including depressions, erosion, and ulceration. The relationship between endoscopic features and metastasis was evaluated.


RESULTS
11 cases (9.6%) of the 115 rectal carcinoids presented with metastatic disease. Tumor size was associated with metastasis (p < 0.001). Endoscopic features associated with metastasis were tumor shape, surface change, and color (p < 0.001). Atypical endoscopic features occurred more frequently as the size of the tumor increased (p < 0.001). For tumors 10-19 mm in diameter, atypical surface change was associated with metastasis (p = 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic features were found to be associated with metastasis in rectal carcinoids. In particular, atypical surface change may be useful in determining treatment plans for tumors 10-19 mm in diameter.
Center for Colorectal Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, Korea.
Byung Nyun
BN
Kim
Dae Kyung
DK
Sohn
Chang Won
CW
Hong
Kyung Su
KS
Han
Hee Jin
HJ
Chang
Kyung Hae
KH
Jung
Seok-Byung
SB
Lim
Hyo Seong
HS
Choi
Seung-Yong
SY
Jeong
Jae-Gahb
JG
Park
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003116:Color; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000209:etiology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D013499:Surface Properties; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014456:Ulcer / Q000473:pathology