CARCINOID OF THE PANCREAS - CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES

The classical carcinoid tumour (WHO) of the pancreas is extremely rare and its diagnosis may puzzle physicians and pathologists. Here, 29 pr eviously published cases of pancreatic carcinoid tumours, including on e new case, are reviewed. Literature research was done using MedLine f rom 1966 to 1995. Pancreatic carcinoids produce an atypical carcinoid syndrome. Skin flushing was reported in only 34%. The main symptom was pain, followed by diarrhoea and weight loss. Elevated urinary 5-HIAA levels were found in 85% (17/20). The immuncytochemical sensitivity fo r serotonin was 100% (11/11). The diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoid tu mour is based on the typical endocrine histological features together with increased serotonin metabolism. Generally, the slow growth rate a nd late invasion of adjacent organs render local resection possible, b ut the high incidence of distant metastases (69%) prevents long-term s urvival in the majority of patients. The possible role of the Octreosc an, a new radionuclide imaging technique, is discussed with regard to this tumour entity. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd