Abstract
The results of a mass screening for rectal carcinoids in employees, using flexible proctosigmoidoscopy, between fiscal years 2000 and 2005 were examined. Endoscopic examinations were performed in 53,350 cases (48,962 males, 4,388 females). On these occasions, 35 rectal carcinoid cases were detected, with an incidence of 0.07%. The average age of the cases examined was 45.4 years. The younger generation (39 years old or less) had a higher incidence rate of rectal carcinoids. Specifically, at the age of 39 years, rectal carcinoid cases were detected at the highest incidence rate (0.16%). It is presumed that this disease occurs mainly in patients under 40 years of age , grows slowly and is detected clinically in those patients above the age of 50 years. In our study, the diameter size of the growths was, except in 2 cases, less than 1 cm. In general, although rectal carcinoids are thought to have malignant potential, the degree of this potential is regarded as low-grade. Hence, the treatment of rectal carcinoids remains controversial. It is not necessary to always treat rectal carcinoid cases in the same way as rectal cancer, but intensive follow-up after resection is deemed necessary.
