Gastric carcinoid: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Carcinoids are rare tumour of neuroendocrin origin, characterized by argyrophylic silver stain reaction, positive immunohistochemical reaction with neuron-specific markers, a typical growth pattern; they can express different peptides and biogenic amines.

Gastric carcinoid tumours have been classified on the basis of susceptibility to gastric trophic stimulus and characteristics mucosal surrounding into 3 different types. This classification is important with respect to therapeutic strategy (type adapted treatment), but the option of endoscopic or surgical treatment is influenced by the impossibility to distinguish clearly the benignity or malignity of these lesions.

A review of international literature and a rare case of gastric carcinoid tumour associated with chronic athrophic gastritis, developed in a female 65-years old, with anaemia and treated by subtotal gastrectomy, are presented.