New treatments have emerged recently and are being developed, because although these tumors are relatively indolent, they can metastasize. The biology of carcinoid tumors of the gastrointestinal tract can be classified in large part by the embryologic regions of the gut in which they occur. More carcinoid tumors will be discovered as the indications and use of gastrointestinal endoscopies increase, so the diagnosis and initial management of carcinoid tumors will fall largely on the gastroenterologist. AB - Clinical findings and surgical treatment of a 68 years old man with carcinoid tumor of Meckel's diverticulum are reported. Carcinoids in Meckel's diverticula are rare tumors, commonly discovered incidentally during surgical procedures for different indications.
Symptoms are frequently expression of a metastatic disease.
Specific diagnostic and therapeutic tools are discussed. A retrospective review was conducted of medical records and pathologic materials of all children with carcinoid tumors treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between December 1977 and March 1999. In 7 cases, carcinoid tumor was not suspected at the time the tumor was identified. One patient who presented with symptoms of carcinoid syndrome had metastatic disease that responded poorly to cytotoxic chemotherapy and remains alive with active disease. Although most pediatric carcinoid tumors arise in the appendix, these tumors also occur in other primary sites.