Gastric carcinoids--a clinicopathologic study.

AIM: Our objective was to document the clinical and pathological findings in eight patients with gastric carcinoids seen in our institution over a 16-year period (1980-96). METHODS: All cases reported during this period as microcarcinoids, atypical carcinoids and mixed carcinoid-carcinoma of the stomach were retrieved from pathology records. Eight cases with typical histologic features of carcinoid were studied. RESULTS: Seven cases were men (median age 53 years, range 35-55). Four patients presented with upper abdominal pain. Serum gastrin level was elevated in two cases. The endoscopic appearances and the endoscopic biopsy histology were not diagnostic. Surgical treatment ranged from simple nodule excision to partial, subtotal or extended gastrectomy and Whipple's pancreatico-duodenectomy. Lymph node and liver metastasis were seen in four patients each. The median duration of follow-up was one year. CONCLUSION: Gastric carcinoids have varied etiopathogenesis. These may arise in a background of hypergastrinemic conditions or may be sporadic. Most appear to be slow growing but aggressive neoplasms are capable of distant metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma arising in "J" pouch after total proctocolectomy for familial polyposis coli.

A patient of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) without extra intestinal lesions is presented. The patient underwent a proctocolectomy with J pouch ileal reservoir with an ileoanal anastomosis. The clinical course was further complicated by an adenocarcinoma developing in the J pouch. This was excised totally and a terminal illeostomy was constructed. The aim of doing a prophylactic proctocolectomy in familial polyposis coli is to prevent a malignancy developing and to restore function with an illeoanal pouch. However polyps can occur in the gastric, duodenal and intestinal mucosa, which can lead to malignancy. Greater awareness and close follow up is needed even after prophylactic proctocolectomy.