title: Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  carcinoid tumors (CTs) represent the commonest neuroendocrine tumors. Those in the gastrointestinal tract are diagnosed in surgical specimens, clinically, and using imaging techniques (endoscopy, echoendoscopy, CT, Octreoscan, etc.). The goal of this retrospective study was to review a personal series of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors, and to compare it to those in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  the medical records of 40 Caucasian patients with over 50 gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors (including multiple cases) who were seen for a period of 16 years (1994-2009) were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  mean age at presentation was 52 years, 50% were females, and mean tumor size was 9.9 mm. Most were gastroduodenal (42.5%) or rectal (30%), and were treated endoscopically. Metastases and carcinoid syndrome (CS) were seen in 5% of patients. Survival at study endpoint was 85%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  age and gender were consistent with the literature. There was an increase in gastroduodenal (multifocal) and rectal carcinoids, likely because the series was essentially endoscopical in nature (bias). There was a lower rate of CS and higher survival, likely due to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Endoscopy, Centro Médico Teknon, Barcelona, Spain. varas@dr.teknon.es
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Varas-Lorenzo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Agel
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Espinós-Pérez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardají-Bofill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult