Management of gastric carcinoids (neuroendocrine neoplasms)

Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms of the stomach can be divided into the usually well-differentiated, hypergastrinemia-dependent type I and II lesions and the more aggressively behaving gastrin-independent type III lesions. Mainly due to better diagnostics and awareness of this tumor, the observed incidence has increased more than tenfold over the last 30 years. Small (<15-20 mm) localized type I and II lesions that are slowly proliferating (Ki67<2%) can usually be managed conservatively with endoscopic surveillance. Reducing hypergastrinemia by surgical removal of an underlying gastrinoma is important in inhibiting growth and induce reduction of type II lesions, while the specific gastrin receptor antagonist YF476 or gastrin antibodies may become useful for both type I and II lesions. Infiltrating and metastasized tumors and type III lesions require a more aggressive approach with surgical resection and consideration of modalities such as somatostatin analogs, cytotoxics, and peptide receptor targeted treatment.