Multiple gastric carcinoid tumors with type A gastritis concomitant with gastric cancer: a case report

We describe a case with multiple gastric carcinoid tumors combined with early gastric carcinoma originated from the type A gastritis-affected tissue. Microcarcinoid foci were observed from the deeper layers of the propria mucosa to the submucosa and were surrounded by endocrine cell micronests (ECMs), while carcinoma was limited within the mucosa. Serum gastrin level was high (1,100 pg/ml) pre-operatively but returned to normal (44 pg/ml) post-operatively. It suggested that the longstanding hypergastrinemia may have played a causative role in the development of multiple carcinoids and cancer. Surgical treatment was considered essential for treatment in this case of coincident multiple carcinoid tumors and cancer.