[Comparison and analysis of the clinical features of different types of gastrointestinal cancers]

To analysis the clinical features of gastrointestinal (GI) carcinoid tumor in different pathological types, and to improve the level of its diagnosis and treatment.

Retrospectively analysis 36 cases of GI carcinoid in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1982 to 2003, according to the International Classification of Disease for Oncology (ICD-O). The 36 cases were divided into carcinoid group and malignant carcinoid group. Their clinical presentation, metastasis, age, its ratio in gastrointestinal endocrine and non-endocrine tumor were compared.

(1) Ratio: the ratio of GI carcinoid in digestive system non-endocrine tumor was 0.35%, in endocrine tumor was 10.20%. (2) Age: the mean age of the malignant carcinoid group was (55.8 +/- 12.8) years old and carcinoid group was (45.1 +/- 12.0). The age of the malignant carcinoid group is significantly higher than that of the carcinoid group. (3) Sites: the rectum carcinoid (63%) was the most common site of the overall GI carcinoid, the gastric (35%) and colonic (25%) carcinoid in the malignant carcinoid group were found more than that in carcinoid group. (4) Metastasis: the lymphonode and liver (60%) were most common sites of malignant carcinoid tumor. The ratio of metastasis from stomach and colon was higher than that from the other gastrointestinal sites. (5) DIAGNOSTIC METHODS: most of the GI carcinoid tumors were diagnosed by the colonoscopy. The rectal touch should not be neglected. (6) Carcinoid syndrome: The incidence of carcinoid syndrome was quite low and often occurred in malignant carcinoid tumor.

The overall incidence of GI carcinoid tumor makes up 0.35% of gastrointestinal tumor. It is not common disease but not rare. The rectum is most common site of carcinoid tumor. Most of the gastric and colonic carcinoid tumor was belonging to malignant. The mean age of malignant carcinoid tumor was older with the metastasis of lymphonode and liver. The carcinoid syndrome often occurred in malignant carcinoid tumor.