EUS May Have Limited Impact on the Endoscopic Management of Gastric Carcinoids

Background. Carcinoids are occasionally found during gastroscopy. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) can determine the depth of invasion and vascularity of submucosal tumors, including carcinoid tumors. Thus, EUS can lead to an informed decision as to whether to attempt endoscopic or surgical excision of a carcinoid. The three cases described here were found by EUS to be amenable to endoscopic resection of submucosal carcinoid tumors. In each case, the margin of the specimen obtained led to uncertainty regarding the completeness of gastroscopic excision of the tumor. Guidelines for follow-up of gastric carcinoid are few. The incompleteness of endoscopic resection of submucosal tumors, with tumor found at the specimen margin, indicates that careful follow-up and/or consideration of other means of excision are indicated.