title: Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the stomach: A rare case at an uncommon site.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A 13-year-old African-American female presented to her primary care physician's office with fatigue, syncope, and hematemesis. After initial evaluation, the patient was referred to pediatric gastroenterology clinic for further evaluation.
  An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed to evaluate the source of her bleeding. Endoscopy revealed a 3-cm mass in the lesser curvature of the stomach, and a biopsy of the mass revealed a concern for carcinoid (neuroendocrine) features.
  
  
  METHODS
  She underwent an open gastrectomy. Post-surgical pathology reports confirmed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the stomach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuroendocrine tumors of the stomach in children are rare and we presently do not have pediatric-specific diagnostic and treatment guidelines. Although adult-based The North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) guidelines are helpful, they are clearly not geared toward pediatric patients. To establish pediatric guidelines and to assess effectiveness of treatments, multicenter data collection is essential. In the long run, accumulation of clinically useful treatment information and long-term follow-up guidelines should enable clinicians to improve standard of care given to children with neuroendocrine tumors.
authors.affiliation: Bon Secours Health System, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Bon Secours Health System, General Surgery Bon Secours Health System, Monument Pathologists Inc. Bon Secours Health System, Pediatric Gastroenterology Associates, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gumuscu
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Norwood
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: C Lee
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: Carl B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rountree
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery