Gastric carcinoids and atrophic gastritis. Evidence for an association

An elderly woman with documented pernicious anemia was found to have diffuse involvement of the gastric mucosa, with carcinoid tumors. In reviewing the English-language literature we found 14 additional patients who had atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, and gastric carcinoids. This finding suggests that there is a more than coincidental association, although firm clinical and experimental proof is lacking. Nevertheless, appearance of gastrointestinal tract symptoms in patients with pernicious anemia should alert the clinician to the possible presence of gastric carcinoid tumors.