Endoscopic resection of small rectal carcinoid tumours using an aspirationmethod with a transparent overcap

Rectal carcinoid tumours are often small and rarely metastatic. Endoscopic resection may, therefore, be the best treatment for small tumours. We diagn osed rectal carcinoid tumours in four women and three men (mean age 53 year s; range, 43 - 63) between 1994 and 1999. Tumour depth was evaluated using a high-frequency ultrasonographic probe in five of the seven patients. All tumours were resected by endoscopic mucosal resection using an aspiration m ethod with a transparent overcap. Histologically, all tumours were located within the submucosal layer. Tumour cells were found at the resected margin of the lateral side in one patient, and at the bottom of the margin in ano ther. Both patients were followed up with frequent endoscopy, and no local recurrences have been detected at 1-year or 4-year follow-ups. Ultrasonogra phic examination before resection is useful to estimate tumour depth. Endos copic resection by an aspiration method with a transparent overcap is safe and effective for the treatment of small rectal carcinoid tumours.