Curative resection of rectal carcinoid tumors with transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

BACKGROUND Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a minimally invasive technique for local resection of rectal tumors. Its place needs to be defined for resection of carcinoid tumors of the rectum. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 1998 to 2004, rectal carcinoid tumors were diagnosed in 5 patients. The diagnosis was suggested at biopsy in all patients. All tumors were resected full thickness with transanal endoscopic microsurgery. Data were obtained retrospectively from a review of hospital charts. RESULTS At the time of operation all tumors were small without clinical or biochemical signs of metastasis. All resected tumors were highly differentiated and had free margins without invasion into the submucosa. Operative times ranged from 15 to 35 minutes. Hospital stays ranged from 2 to 4 days. No morbidity or mortality was observed. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 75 months. No recurrences were observed. CONCLUSION Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is an excellent technique for removal of carcinoid tumors of the rectum and even the distal part of the sigmoid, if the diameter is <1 cm without invasion of the rectal wall.