[A case of multiple gastric carcinoids with argyrophil cell hyperplasia]

A case of multiple gastric carcinoid tumors (CT) with diffuse hyperplasia of argyrophil cell in a 47-year-old female is reported. On gross examination, five polypoid CT, the largest measuring 0.8 cm in the diameter, were found in the gastric body. Argyrophil cell micronests (ACM) in the deep mucosa were found to be distributed throughout the stomach. ACM arise from the proliferated argyrophil cells within the mucosal gland by isolation, budding, replacing and developing into CT. Some of these argyrophil cells in the CT and ACM showed only serotonin immunoreactivity. We have identified electron microscopically EC cells and ECL cells with vacuolated, eccentric electron dense granules, 130-360 nm in diameter.