Gastric neuroendocrine tumors

Gastric carcinoids are rare neuroendocrine tumors, usually classified as type I, if associated with atrophic body gastritis; type II, if associated with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, and type III, in the absence of any gastric pathology (sporadic tumors). The pathological features, as well as the prognosis of the tumor and the patient's survival strictly depend on this classification. The correct management of the patient with gastric carcinoid can only be proposed when the tumor has been classified by an accurate pathological and clinical evaluation of the patient. While the therapeutic approach in types I and II is based on a conservative strategy, including endoscopic resection, an adequate follow-up program, and the possible use of somatostatin analogues, an aggressive surgical approach is required in type III.