Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumours. A population-based study

The aim of this study was to provide further information on the descriptive epidemiology of gastrointestinal carcinoids.

Data was drawn from the Tuscany Tumour Registry, a population-based registry active in the province of Florence. All the carcinoid tumours reported for the period 1985-1991 in gastrointestinal organs were analysed. Incidence, mortality and survival data are presented.

There were 53 gastrointestinal carcinoid tumours in 29 males and 24 females. The site distribution was: 19 small intestine, 8 colon, 7 appendix, 6 stomach, 6 rectum, 1 large bowel (not specified), and 6 from known metastases. The overall age-adjusted incidence rate was 0.42/100,000. At diagnosis, 33 carcinoids showed evidence of invasion and/or spreading. Seven patients had two independent tumours. As of 31.12.94, nineteen patients had died. The overall observed and relative 5-year survival rates were 66.1% and 75.1%, respectively.

In the province of Florence, the incidence of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumours is low. Probably, this result, is in part due to the low autopsy rate. The overall survival rate is quite good, with the best prognosis seen for appendiceal carcinoids and the worst for colon and stomach carcinoids. 1.9% of the patients had a further tumour diagnosis.