Coexisting carcinoid tumors in familial adenomatous polyposis-associated upper intestinal adenomas

Upper gastrointestinal polyps and extraintestinal tumors are well recognize d in association with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Although carcin oid tumors have been reported in association with sporadic colonic neoplasm s and ulcerative colitis, to date, carcinoids have not been reported in ass ociation with FAP. We report a patient with FAP who has recurrent carcinoid tumors located at the bases of duodenal adenomas. The genetic basis of car cinoid neoplasms is still uncertain. This report may represent the clinical effect of the APC gene mutation on the enterochromaffin cell line manifest ing as recurrent carcinoid tumors in physical association with intestinal a denomas. Future genetic analysis and epidemiological studies may be of valu e in determining whether a true association exists. (C) 1999 by Am. Cell. o f Gastroenterology.