Clinicopathologic characteristics of colonic carcinoid tumors

BackgroundExtra-appendiceal colonic carcinoids are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors with a poor prognosis compared with carcinoids of other gastrointestinal origins. Few studies have examined the clinicopathologic profile and behavior of this rare tumor.Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was performed on patients with colonic carcinoid tumors evaluated at a single tertiary care center between 1996 and 2012. Collected data included patient and tumor characteristics, presentation, treatment, recurrence, and survival. Results were integrated into a comprehensive review of the colonic carcinoid literature.ResultsIn total, 114 patients with colorectal carcinoid tumors were identified, and 15 patients with extra-appendiceal tumors were analyzed. The mean age was 58.6 ± 3.0 y, and subjects were predominantly male (73.3%). The most common presenting problem was abdominal pain (33.3%), although 26.7% of patients were asymptomatic. Cecal tumors were the most prevalent (73.3%), and most patients underwent right hemicolectomy. Three patients with lesions < 1 cm were treated endoscopically. The mean tumor diameter was 2.9 ± 0.5 cm, with lymph node or distant metastasis present in 53.3% and 26.7%, respectively. All but two patients underwent a presumed curative resection. During a mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 1.0 y, there was only one death (non–carcinoid specific). Eleven patients were alive without evidence of disease at last follow-up and three patients were alive with disease, one of whom initially had a presumed curative resection that recurred.ConclusionsThis case series further elucidates the clinicopathologic characteristics of colonic carcinoid tumors, which aids physicians in guiding the diagnosis and management of these rare tumors.