Long-term results of surgery for carcinoid tumours of the gastro-intestinal tract.
54 patients were followed-up 1-22 years (median 11 years) after histological verification of a carcinoid tumour. four patients died before operation; 41 patients had their lesion in the appendix, 13 in different extra appendiceal sites in the gastrointestinal tract. There was a significant difference between the median ages and the mortality rates in the two groups. Only one patient with an appendiceal tumour died of his disease. Appendiceal carcinoid, even with local spreading to the serosa and local lymph nodes, seemed to be adequately treated by a simple appendectomy. Extensive surgery, following the principles of treatment for malignant tumours, should be undertaken, when spread to the caecum or ascending colon is present or when the tumour is of extra-appendiceal origin.