Abstract

Twelve proven cases of carcinoid tumor of the rectum were seen between 1946 and 1972. Local surgical excision of the tumor with a generous margin of normal tissue was carried out in 11 patients, while one received no specific treatment. Ten patients have remained well from three months to 17 years without evidence of recurrence. In one, local recurrence was found at autopsy six months following local surgical excision and the other lived 32 months without any specific treatment. The characteristics of rectal carcinoid tumors which should cause concern are the clinical or microscopic evidence of invasion or a lesion which measures 2 cm or greater in diameter. The concept of early diagnosis and adequate local surgical excision is stressed