Abstract
Carcinoid tumors of the stomach are uncommon and very difficult to be diagnosed roentogenologically or endoscopically because of lack of the specific features. We experienced five cases of carcinoid tumor of the stomach including those reported previously (case No3 and 4). We made an effort to find out morphological characteriatics of carcinoid tumors of the stomach by reviewing endoscopic pictures and literatures, but we felt that the differentiation from submucosal tumor, carcinoma, polyp and polyposis was very difficult. We could make a correct diagnosis of carcinoid tumor of the stomach before operation in 3 of 4 cases in which endoscopic biopsy was performed. We thought that biopsy was very useful in the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors of the stomach. Only one patient peresented with flushing and was found to have multiple liver metastases and high values of urinary 5-HIAA, 5-HT and histamine. Two patients were associated with carcinoma of the sigmoid colon. Therefore, it should be stressed that the presence of carcinid tumor should alert the physician to search for a second neoplasm.
