Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze various clinical characteristics of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors including their symptoms, diagnoses and treatment strategies. Methods: Medical records of 36 cases of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors diagnosed at Bundang CHA Hospital from March 2000 to February 2008 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Results: The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 50 years old. Frequent location of the tumors was as followsrectum, duodenum,

more »

... stomach, colon, and small bowel. The size of tumor varied and the mean size was measured 9.0 mm. Any specific symptoms did not arise nor were they detected among most of the patients at the time of diagnosis. Endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor was undergone in 27 cases, while 13 cases were resected with surgical procedures. Surgical procedures performed were appendectomy in 4 cases, transanal resection in 3 cases, low anterior resection in 3 cases, pancreaticoduodenectomy in 1 case, duodenotomy with mass excision in 1 case, ileotomy with mass excision in 1 case. One case of recurrence was reported during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors have various clinical presentations and the results are highly variable and also individualized according to the site of the primary tumor. It leads to a multiplicity of treatment options for the patients. The expertise of surgeons and endoscopic physicians should be combined for proper management strategies and effective results of carcinoid tumors of gastrointestinal tract treatment. (J Korean Surg Soc 2009; 76:1-6)