[Multiple gastric carcinoids, atrophic gastritis, hypergastrinemia: a confirmed association (a new case)]

Although carcinoid tumors only infrequently (2-6%) have a gastric localization, in recent years several cases have been described of this tpe of neoplasm in association with atrophic gastritis (with or without pernicious anemia). A possible carcinogenetic effect of sustained hypergastrinemia on the enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL) of the gastric mucosa has been postulated. A new case of these characteristics in reported, and a review is made of the pathogenic hypotheses in the literature on this peculiar type of tumors and their possible clinical implications.