sites of carcinoid tumours
Last reviewed 03/2023
Carcinoid tumours may occur where there are Kulchitsky cells:
- gastrointestinal tract - in order of frequency:
- mid-gut:
- 60% of cases
- particularly distal third of appendix and terminal ileum
- rarely in a Meckel's diverticulum
- hindgut:
- 10-20% of cases
- usually rectum
- foregut:
- 10-20% of cases
- mainly stomach, but also duodenum and oesophagus
- outside the GI tract:
- bronchus
- testes
- ovaries
Potential to metastasise is related to site and size:
- appendix 3% metastasise, ileum 30% metastasise
- less than 1 cm, 2% metastasise; 1-2 cm, 50% metastasise; more than 2 cm, 80% metastasise
Appendiceal carcinoids are rarely multiple; ileal carcinoids are multiple in 30%.