Neuroendocrine tumor of the small intestine: case report

INTRODUCTION

The neuroendocrine tumor, also known as carcinoid tumor, is a neoplasm of the diffuse neuroendocrine system⁴. The occurrence of this type of tumor in the small intestine is rare and has a genetic influence in its etiology. It has been estimated that the deletion of the tumor suppressor gene PLCβ3 causes the uncontrolled growth of the neuroendocrine cells^2,4.The incidence ranges from 1 to 2 per 100,000 and affects men and women equally. Most of these tumors are well-differentiated and have an indolent course. Consequently, the onset of symptoms is late and, in most cases, the diagnosis is made at advanced stages of the disease. The chosen therapeutics is tumor resection. For the initial stages, the method aims at healing; while in advanced phases, the cytoreductive operation, associated to the multidisciplinary treatment, provides an increase of the survival time⁹.

The objective of this study was to present a case of a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor of small intestine with a characteristic course of carcinoid syndrome.