Gastrointestinal carcinoids and the malignant carcinoid syndrome

The records of 59 patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors at The New York Hospital from 1948 to 1978 were reviewed. Forty-seven instances were diagnosed surgically; 12 were identified on autopsy specimens. The average age at diagnosis was 55.8 years. No association with duodenal ulcer or carcinoma could be made. The appendix was the mose common site of origin, followed by the ileum, rectum and colon, respectively. Jejunoileal carcinoids were multiple in 37 per cent of the patients. Primary tumors of the colon had the highest malignant potential and only two patients had the malignant carcinoid syndrome. Radical excision of all primary tumors is advocated.