[Primary carcinoid of the umbilicus. Description of the 1st case]

A 78-year old male came to our observation presenting and enlargement of bilateral inguinal lymph nodes and a tumor of the mesogastric abdominal wall. Three years before the patient had been operated on for a primary tumor of the umbilicus with concomitant longstanding diarrhea. No histological examination was performed at that time. We performed a lymph node biopsy which demonstrated carcinoid metastasis. We went on to perform radical resection of the abdominal wall, regional lymphadenectomy and right hemicolectomy for malignant villous adenoma of the right colon. The abdominal defect was repaired by using Goretex mesh. Cyclic adjuvant alpha-interferon therapy was continued for more than 1 year, followed by long term therapy with longastatin. Twenty months after the operation the patient is in good clinical conditions and disease-free. On the basis of literature review our case appears to be the first primary carcinoid of the umbilicus.