[Rectal neuroendocrine tumours]

Rectal neuroendocrine tumours (carcinoids) belong to the hindgut carcinoid group, according to older classification. They are not associated with carcinoid syndrome. Colonoscopy is a gold standard for detecting rectal carcinoids. Endosonography is important for assessing rectal carcinoid growth. CT colonography and 111ln-octreotide scanning is required for staging if residual or metastatic disease is suspected. Serum chromogranin A and acid phosphatase are necessary biochemical markers. Local resection is sufficient for small tumours, anterior resection for rectal tumours > 2 cm is appropriate. There is no evidence base for adjuvant therapy. Patients with rectal carcinoids < 2 cm have a very good prognosis with long-term survival.