Type 3 gastric carcinoid: An analysis of clinical data about 14 cases

Objective To improve the early diagnosis and treatment of type 3 carcinoid by studying its clinical manifestations, endoscopic features, pathologic characteristics, and treatment modalities. Methods The clinical data about 14 patients with type 3 gastric carcinoid admitted to our hospital from January 2006 to April 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The main clinical manifestations of the patients were gastrointestinal symptoms and tumor-related symptoms(bleeding or metastasis). Endoscopy showed solitary hemispherical or polypoid submucosal tumors with congestive or erosive surfaces, which were tough or hard and could be pushed. It was hard to move when the muscular layer was involved. Of the 14 patients, 3 underwent endoscopic resection, 2 received surgery after endoscopic resection, 3 underwent laparoscopic local resection, 4 received partial gastric excision(1 received chemotherapy after operation), and 1 received chemotherapy due to liver metastasis, 1 died of widespread metastasis of carcinoid. Thirteen patients were followed up for an average period of 11.7 months(3-79 months). Conclusion Since type 3 gastric carcinoid lacks of specific clinical manifestations, endoscopy and immunohistochemistry are the key methods for its early diagnosis which is essential to recognize the type of gastric carcinoid, to decide its treatment modalities, and improve the survival rate of its patients.