| Theme | Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Gastrointestinal Tract | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Small Bowel Carcinoids | |
| Publish Date | 2006/09 | |
| Author | Masanao Nakamura | Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Naoki Ohmiya | Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Daigo Arakawa | Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Wataru Honda | Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Yasumasa Niwa | Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Hidemi Goto | Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Small bowel carcinoids are tumors similar to submucosal tumors. They are a rare condition in Japan, compared to Western countries. Carcinoid tumors in the small bowel are infrequent compared to others in the gastrointestinal tract. This disease is though to be a neuroendocrine cell tumor, and flushing of the face and diarrhea occur via a peptide hormone produced in the tumor. The standard device for diagnosis of this tumor has been small bowel radiography, which demonstrates elevated lesions like submucosal tumors and mesenteric retraction. However, diagnosis of small bowel carcinoids is difficult, and many cases are diagnosed from major symptoms or by resected specimens of small bowel tumors. Several years ago, capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy were introduced for the purpose of observation in the entire small bowel. These techniques markedly advanced the diagnostic value of small bowel disease examination. In the future, the possibility may exist to diagnose small bowel carcinoids earlier and to obtain definitive diagnosis preoperatively. Therefore, new management of small bowel carcinoids is expected. In this section, we describe the clinical features of small bowel carcinoids and appendiceal carcinoids along with these new diagnostic modalities. | |