RESUMO
Carcinoid tumors arise from enterochromaffin cells that are located predominantly in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Gastrointestinal carcinoids appear with equal frequency among men and women, most often during the fifth and sixth decades. A primary duodenal carcinoid is rare. Most carcinoid tumors of the appendix are incidentally discovered during other surgical procedures. Its natural course is usually benign and the size of the tumor is closely related with the liability of regional or distant metastasis. The vast majority of rectal carcinoid tumors are benign and can be safely treated by a local excision. Lesions larger than 2 cm that invade the muscular wall of the rectum should be considered as malignant and treated by a more radical procedure such as an abdominoperineal resection. Three cases are here in reported of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors that were treated at presbyterian medical center.