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Biomedical subjects

B G Wolff

Publications and source records attributed to B G Wolff.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the rectum.

OBJECTIVE: The authors' aim was to determine survival and recurrence rates in patients undergoing resection of rectal cancer achieved by abdominoperineal resection (APR), coloanal anastomosis (CAA), and anterior resection (AR) without adjuvant therapy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The surgery of rectal cancer is controversial; so, too, is its adjuvant management. Questions such as preoperative versus postoperative radiation versus no radiation are key. An approach in which the entire mesorectum is excised has been proposed as yielding low recurrence rates. METHODS: Of 1423 patients with resected rectal cancers, 491 patients were excluded, leaving 932 with a primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum treated at Mayo. Eighty-six percent were resected for cure. Surgery plus adjuvant treatment was performed in 418, surgery alone in 514. These 514 patients are the subject of this review. Among the 514 patients who underwent surgery alone, APR was performed in 169, CAA in 19, AR in 272, and other procedures in 54. Eighty-seven percent of patients were operated on with curative intent. The mean follow-up was 5.6 years; follow-up was complete in 92%. APR and CAA were performed excising the envelope of rectal mesentery posteriorly and the supporting tissues laterally from the sacral promontory to the pelvic floor. AR was performed using an appropriately wide rectal mesentery resection technique if the tumor was high; if the tumor was in the middle or low rectum, all mesentery was resected. The mean distal margin achieved by AR was 3 +/- 2 cm. RESULTS: Mortality was 2% (12 of 514). Anastomotic leaks after AR occurred in 5% (16 of 291) and overall transient urinary retention in 15%. Eleven percent of patients had a wound infection (abdominal and perineal wound, 30-day, purulence, or cellulitis). The local recurrence and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 7% and 78%, respectively, after AR; 6% and 83%, respectively, after CAA; and 4% and 80%, respectively, after APR. Patients with stage III disease, had a 60% disease-free survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection of the envelope of supporting tissues about the rectum during APR, CAA, and AR when tumors were low in the rectum is associated with low mortality, low morbidity, low local recurrence, and good 5-year survival rates. Appropriate "tumor-specific" mesorectal excision during AR when the tumor is high in the rectum is likewise consistent with a low rate of local recurrence and good long-term survival. However, the overall failure rate of 40% in stage III disease (which is independent of surgical technique) means that surgical approaches alone are not sufficient to achieve better long-term survival rates.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Radioimmunoscintigraphy of recurrent, metastatic, or occult colorectal cancer with technetium 99m-labeled totally human monoclonal antibody 88BV59: results of pivotal, phase III multicenter studies.

PURPOSE: To assess the performance and potential clinical impact of a totally human monoclonal antibody, 88BV59 (HumaSPECT) (INTRACEL, Corp, Rockville, MD), in 202 assessable presurgical patients with recurrent, metastatic, or occult colorectal cancer. METHODS: 88BV59, labeled with technetium Tc 99m (99mTc) (HumaSPECT-Tc), was injected intravenously, and planar and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) images were obtained 14 to 20 hours postinjection. Surgical and pathologic verification of tumor were used as the standard against which the performance of HumaSPECT-Tc imaging and computed tomography (CT) analysis were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients entered onto the recurrent disease study had at least one tumor site defined on CT. The sensitivity of HumaSPECT-Tc in those CT-positive patients was 87%. The specificity of HumaSPECT-Tc was 57% compared with 17% for CT and the difference was statistically significant (P < .001). The diagnostic information provided by HumaSPECT-Tc significantly (P < .001) improved the accuracy of the identification of resectable and nonresectable disease over that of CT (80% v 62%). HumaSPECT-Tc scans resulted in a significant (P < .001) reduction versus CT in terms of the proportion of patients understaged (27% v 41%) and overstaged (4% v 26%). In patients with occult disease (increasing carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] titer, negative diagnostic work-up, negative CT), HumaSPECT-Tc correctly identified disease in 15 of 22 (68%) patients. HumaSPECT-Tc images provided additional clinical data that would have affected patient management decisions in 40 of 202 (19.8%) patients. In 365 patients who received 88BV59, only a single detectable human anti-human antibody (HAHA) response (90 ng/mL) at 9 weeks postinfusion was observed. CONCLUSION: HumaSPECT-Tc can provide important and accurate information about the presence and location of disease in patients with a high clinical suspicion of metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer and either positive (known disease) or negative (occult disease) CT scans.

Adult↗

Perianal Bowen's disease: associated tumors, human papillomavirus, surgery, and other controversies.

BACKGROUND: Perianal Bowen's disease (BD) is an intraepithelial nonkeratinizing carcinoma, associated historically with internal tumors. METHODS: A review of patients with perianal BD presenting consecutively during a 25-year span was undertaken, excluding Bowenoid papulosis and contiguous genital BD. Histologic slides were resubmitted for review by an experienced pathologist, in a "blind" fashion among other slides. Follow-up was updated in every patient. Survival and recurrence curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared with a normal age-matched population (log-rank test). RESULTS: Nineteen patients were identified; 15 of them were females. Mean age +/- standard deviation was 49.6 +/- 10.6 years. Five patients had a coincidental diagnosis (hemorrhoidectomy or wart excision). No associated carcinomas were found; however, eight patients had isolated BD of the vulva. Eleven patients had a history of anal warts, cervical/vulvar dysplasia, or both. Wide resection, including V-Y flaps, was performed in 18 patients without dysfunction. One-year and five-year recurrence was 16 and 31 percent. Recurrence was treated in all but one case by wider resection. Mean follow-up was 8.4 years. Five-year survival was 75 percent, lower than the matched population (P = 0.001); however, only one death was related to BD. CONCLUSIONS: Perianal BD has no association with internal tumors. Despite a high rate of recurrence, perianal BD can be treated by local excision. An increased rate of human papilloma virus-related entities was found, which could suggest a causative role.

Anus Diseases↗

Paget's disease of the perianal region--an aggressive disease?

BACKGROUND: Perianal Paget's disease is a rare entity, often associated with internal malignancies and a poor prognosis. METHODS: A chart review of patients with perianal Paget's disease who presented consecutively to Mayo during 25 years (starting in January 1970) was made. Patients included had Paget's disease located in or around the anus (3 cm). Patients were excluded for evidence of spread of vulvaperineal lesions or pagetoid extension of a rectal adenocarcinoma. Histology slides were reviewed, and immunohistochemistry was applied to confirm diagnoses. Follow-up was updated in all patients. Recurrence and survival curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival was compared with an age-matched population by the log-rank test. RESULTS: Thirteen patients, eight females, were diagnosed (age +/- standard deviation of 68.3 +/- 10.6 years). All histologic diagnoses were confirmed with immunohistochemical staining results. Mean follow-up was 6.7 years, 8.8 for living patients. One patient had associated extramammary Paget's disease (scrotum). Lesions were located randomly at the dentate line, anal verge, and/or perianal area. Four patients had associated carcinomas; none of them were visceral. Eleven patients underwent local resection, without adjuvant therapy. Almost all recurrences were treated by wider local excision. The five-year recurrence rate was 61 percent. Overall five-year and ten-year survival was 67 percent, no different from the age-matched population (P = 0.546). CONCLUSIONS: These results do not reflect an aggressive nature of perianal Paget's disease, despite a high rate of local recurrence. Both primary lesions and recurrences are susceptible to treatment by wider local resection. Long-term survival is no different from that of the normal age-matched population.

Aged↗

Surgical management of ileosigmoid fistulas in Crohn's disease.

UNLABELLED: Ileosigmoid fistulas are found in Crohn's disease and may present a surgical dilemma. PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine surgical practice to determine types of intervention, enumerate complications, and elicit guidelines for surgical management. METHOD: The medical records of patients with ileosigmoid fistula and Crohn's disease from 1975 to 1995 were reviewed. RESULTS: Ninety patients (44 men) were studied. A preoperative diagnosis of ileosigmoid fistula was made in 77 percent of patients. Sigmoid repair was performed in 43 patients (47.8 percent), sigmoid resection in 32 patients (35.6 percent), 12 patients (13.3 percent) underwent more extensive procedures, and 3 patients (3.3 percent) either had surgery elsewhere or were observed. The fistula was never directly responsible for a stoma. The repair and resection groups were similar with respect to age, length of Crohn's disease, and preoperative symptoms. There was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of postoperative complications; there were no postoperative deaths. Average length of stay was 8.3 days following repair and 9.9 days after resection. Reasons for resection included significant purulence or inflammation, a large fistula defect, a defect on the mesenteric border of the sigmoid, and active sigmoid Crohn's disease. Surgeon's assessment of the presence of Crohn's disease in the sigmoid correlated with pathologic examination and was aided by knowledge of recent endoscopic appearance and biopsy results; intraoperative frozen section and colonoscopy were helpful in distinguishing serosal inflammation from active Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: Contrast studies identified 77 percent of ileosigmoid fistulas preoperatively. Performing repair rather than resection does not increase the risk of complications, if standard surgical principles are followed. Preoperative or intraoperative endoscopy assists the surgical evaluation of the sigmoid.

Adolescent↗

Total abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study assesses the results of total colectomy and ileorectostomy for inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Between January 1974 and December 1990, 90 patients underwent total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis (n = 48) or Crohn's colitis (n = 42) at the Mayo Clinic. Patients' records were reviewed retrospectively. Long-term results were assessed by chart reviews and postal questionnaires. Conversion to a permanent ileostomy, with or without proctectomy, was considered a failure of the procedure. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survivorship free of failure. The log-rank test was used to compare survivorship curves. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals were calculated at selected time points. P values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The main indication for surgery was refractory chronic disease. There were no immediate postoperative deaths. The anastomotic leakage rate was 4.4 percent, and small-bowel obstruction occurred in 15.6 percent. At the time of follow-up (mean, 6.5 +/- 4.8 years), 46 patients (58.9 percent) had recurrence or exacerbation of the disease. This was the most common indication for subsequent proctectomy/permanent ileostomy in the follow-up period. There were 8 failures in 48 patients with ulcerative colitis (16.7 percent) and 11 failures in 42 patients with Crohn's disease (26.2 percent), although this difference was not statistically significant. Cumulative probability of having a functioning ileorectal anastomosis at five years was 84.2 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 71-95.9 percent) for ulcerative colitis and 73.8 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 58.6-88.6 percent) for Crohn's disease. In the latter group, females showed a significantly lower cumulative probability of having a functioning ileorectal anastomosis (females, 63.4 percent; males, 92.3 percent; P = 0.04). Crohn's patients 36 years of age or younger also showed a lower probability of success (patients < or = 36 years, 57 percent; patients > 36 years, 93.8 percent; P = 0.03). In the group with chronic ulcerative colitis, younger patients also seemed to require additional surgery more frequently; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Previous duration of symptoms, with mild or moderate disease in a distensible rectum, had no effect on results in either disease group. Functional results were acceptable in 63.6 and 87.5 percent of patients with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, respectively. Eighty-four percent of ulcerative colitis patients and 91 percent of Crohn's disease patients reported an improvement in their quality of life, and overall, more than 90 percent considered their health status to be better than before surgery. One patient with ulcerative colitis developed carcinoma of the rectal stump 11.5 years after the colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (cumulative probability of remaining free of cancer, 85.7 percent at 12 years; 95 percent confidence interval, 57.7-100 percent). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that, in selected patients with a relatively spared rectum and without severe perineal disease, total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis still remains a viable option to total proctocolectomy with extensive Crohn's colitis. In addition, ileorectal anastomosis, as a sphincter-saving procedure, continues to have a place in the surgical treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis for high-risk or older patients who are not good candidates for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, when the latter procedure cannot be done because of technical reasons and in the presence of advanced carcinoma concomitant with colitis, when life expectancy is limited.

Abdomen↗

Anorectal melanoma--an incurable disease?

PURPOSE: This study was designed to describe recurrence and survival rates after operative treatment for anorectal melanoma and to identify predictive factors for recurrence. METHODS: Records of 50 patients with anorectal melanoma from 1939 to 1993 were reviewed. RESULTS: Overall five-year survival and disease-free survival were 22 and 16 percent, respectively. At the time of diagnosis, 26 percent of patients had metastatic disease, and all died within 12 (mean, 6.3) months. Five-year survival and recurrence rates were identical after either abdominoperineal resection (APR) or wide local excision, both with curative intent. Gender, size of tumor, presence of melanin, positive perirectal lymph nodes, or treatment were not predictive of recurrence. Anorectal melanoma was found incidentally after hemorrhoidectomy or polypectomy in five patients. Three other patients underwent an excisional biopsy of a lesion measuring less than 2 cm. Of these eight patients, five underwent APR and three underwent wide local excision with no microscopic residual tumor at pathology. All developed regional or systemic recurrence at a mean of 21 (range, 4-88) months, and all died of their disease at a mean of 29 (range, 5-98) months. CONCLUSION: Prognosis for anorectal melanoma is poor, irrespective of surgical treatment performed. No predictive factors for recurrence were identified in this series. Wide local excision with a negative margin of a least 1 cm is suggested as the treatment of choice. APR should be reserved for tumor not amenable to local excision or for palliative treatment of large obstructive lesion until effective adjuvant therapies are available.

Adult↗

Risk and significance of endoscopic/radiological evidence of recurrent Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the risk of endoscopic/radiological recurrence of Crohn's disease postoperatively and the long-term outcome. METHODS: A randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed to determine the effectiveness of mesalamine in preventing recurrent Crohn's disease postoperatively. Patients in the control group were examined endoscopically/radiologically before entry into and annually during the trial. Findings were classified as minimal or severe. RESULTS: There were 76 patients (49 men and 37 women; mean age, 37.1 +/- 13.2 years). Fifty (61.7%) had terminal ileal resections. Overall, 55 endoscopic/radiological recurrences were observed in 51 patients (67.1%). Expressed actuarially, the recurrence rate was 27.5% at 1 year (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.8%-37.6%), 60.8% at 2 years (95% CI, 46%-71.3%), and 77.3% at 3 years (95% CI, 62.7%-86.3%). Nineteen (37%) were symptomatic and 12 (24%) were initially asymptomatic but later became symptomatic (mean, 13.0 +/- 8.8 months), whereas 20 (39%) remained asymptomatic (mean, 16.9 +/- 17.4 months). Patients with severe endoscopic/radiological disease were significantly more likely to be or become symptomatic than those with minimal disease (23 of 32 vs. 8 of 19, respectively; P = 0.0437). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that postoperative endoscopic/radiological recurrences occur later than previously reported. Furthermore, many of these patients, especially with minimal disease, will remain asymptomatic.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Bismuth carbomer foam enemas for active chronic pouchitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Bismuth carbomer liquid enemas are equivalent to mesalamine enemas for active distal ulcerative colitis. AIMS: In this study, the efficacy and safety of bismuth carbomer foam enemas for active chronic pouchitis was determined in a placebo-controlled trial. PATIENTS: Forty adult patients with active chronic pouchitis were randomly assigned into either concurrent therapy for pouchitis or no concurrent therapy. Topical corticosteroids and mesalamine were withdrawn prior to the study. METHODS: Patients received either bismuth carbomer (270 mg elemental bismuth) (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) foam enemas for 3 weeks. Clinical assessment was performed at baseline and at 3 weeks using the pouchitis disease activity index score which incorporates symptoms, endoscopy and histology. Serum bismuth concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: At 3 weeks nine of 20 patients (45%) in both the bismuth and placebo groups had improved. Ten patients discontinued prematurely because of worse diarrhoea (three in each group) or abdominal cramping after enema use (one from the bismuth group and three from the placebo group). No other side-effects were noted. Serum bismuth concentrations were negligible in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Bismuth carbomer foam enemas (270 mg bismuth) nightly for 3 weeks are safe but not efficacious for active chronic pouchitis.

Adolescent↗

Randomized prospective trial comparing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis performed by excising the anal mucosa to ileal pouch-anal anastomosis performed by preserving the anal mucosa.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to compare the results of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients in whom the anal mucosa is excised by handsewn techniques to those in whom the mucosa is preserved using stapling techniques. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the operation of choice for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis requiring proctocolectomy. Controversy exists over whether preserving the transitional mucosa of the anal canal improves outcomes. METHODS: Forty-one patients (23 men, 18 women) were randomized to either endorectal mucosectomy and handsewn IPAA or to double-stapled IPAA, which spared the anal transition zone. All patients were diverted for 2 to 3 months. Nine patients were excluded. Preoperative functional status was assessed by questionnaire and anal manometry. Twenty-four patients underwent more extensive physiologic evaluation, including scintigraphic anopouch angle studies and pudendel never terminal motor latency a mean of 6 months after surgery. Quality of life similarly was estimated before surgery and after surgery. Univariate analysis using Wilcoxon test was used to assess differences between groups. RESULTS: The two groups were identical demographically. Overall outcomes in both groups were good. Thirty-three percent of patients who underwent the handsewn technique and 35% of patients who underwent the double-stapled technique experienced a postoperative complication. Resting anal canal pressures were higher in the patients who underwent the stapled technique, but other physiologic parameters were similar between groups. Night-time fecal incontinence occurred less frequently in the stapled group but not significantly. The number of stools per 24 hours decreased from preoperative values in both groups. After IPAA, quality of life improved promptly in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled IPAA, which preserves the mucosa of the anal transition zone, confers no apparent early advantage in terms of decreased stool frequency or fewer episodes of fecal incontinence compared to handsewn IPAA, which excises the mucosa. Higher resting pressures in the stapled group coupled with a trend toward less night-time incontinence, however, may portend better function in the stapled group over time. Both operations are safe and result in rapid and profound improvement in quality of life.

Adult↗

Ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis: early and late results.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to review the early and late results of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) done for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with FAP will have colorectal adenomas develop and die of colorectal cancer if left untreated. Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis removes all disease-bearing mucosa while preserving transanal passage of stools. METHODS: Between 1981 and 1994, 187 patients with FAP, 11 to 59 years of age with a mean follow-up of 60 months (range, 5-170 months) had proctocolectomy and IPAA at Mayo Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota. All patients had a proximal anal canal mucosal excision and a hand-sewn anastomosis of the pouch to the anal canal at the dentate line. A temporary ileostomy was used in 85% of the patients. RESULTS: No early postoperative deaths occurred, although two patients died later of metastatic colorectal carcinoma present at their initial operation. More important, no patient had a new cancer develop after IPAA. The overall morbidity after operation was 24%, with small bowel obstruction being the most common complication (13%). Patients had four bowel movements/24 hours and good fecal control, which continued during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The IPAA eradicates the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with FAP. It can be performed with low mortality, acceptable morbidity, and good functional results over the long term.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Disconnection, pouch revision and reconnection of the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the outcome of patients with a dysfunctional pelvic ileal reservoir in whom disconnection of an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), pouch revision and reanastomosis had been carried out. There were 23 patients (15 women). At the revision operation functional problems were found to be due to a long efferent spout (nine patients), sepsis and/or fistula (four), a redundant blind limb (three), a twisted pouch (three), anastomotic problems (three) or no reservoir (one). The pouch was salvaged in 16 patients and a new pouch was constructed in seven. The pouch-anal anastomosis was resutured in 22 patients and stapled in one. Postoperative complications (all minor) occurred in six patients. Two patients underwent two revision of IPAA. At a median follow-up of 5 (range 1-10) years, 11 patients reported good to excellent function, five reported fair function and one reported recurrent pouchitis. Revision surgery was unsuccessful in six of 23 patients (three had gross incontinence, two excessive bowel movements and one Crohn's disease), and they subsequently underwent pouch excision. It is concluded that revision of an ileal reservoir and IPAA can be undertaken safely with good results in carefully selected patients.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Long-term results of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical treatment of choice for most patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease is, however, a contraindication. Because distinction between UC and Crohn's disease can be difficult, some patients with Crohn's disease inadvertently undergo IPAA. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of patients with Crohn's disease who have undergone IPAA. METHODS: A total of 37 patients (20 men) were studied. Each had undergone mucosectomy with handsewn IPAA (J-pouch, n = 35; S-pouch, n = 1; W-pouch, n = 1). Histologic examination of the resected specimen at time of IPAA showed features of ulcerative colitiis (n = 22), indeterminate colitis (n = 9), or Crohn's disease (n = 6). The stoma was closed in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 11 of 37 patients developed complex fistulas (pouch-cutaneous (n = 6), pouch-vaginal (n = 4), or pouch-vesical (n = 1). Crohn's disease has recurred in the pouch (n = 20), anal canal (n = 4), pouch and anal canal (n = 10), and elsewhere (n = 3). After ten years (range, 3-14), the pouch remains in situ in 20 patients in whom frequency of bowel movement is seven times (3-10)/24 hours, in situ but defunctioned in seven patients, and excised in ten patients (failure rate, 45 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent IPAA for Crohn's disease is associated with a high rate of failure (45 percent) but an acceptable long-term functional result if the pouch can be kept in situ.

Adult↗

Carcinoid tumor of the rectum. DNA ploidy is not a prognostic factor.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and outcome of carcinoid tumors of the rectum and to assess flow cytometry deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis as a potential prognostic factor for management of these tumors. METHODS: Medical records, tumor registry database, and pathology slides were retrospectively reviewed. Flow cytometry DNA analysis was performed on archived specimens. RESULTS: One hundred nine patients with rectal carcinoid tumors underwent surgery between 1962 and 1987. Follow-up was available in 86 patients for a mean period of 12 years. Of 100 patients with tumors less than 2 cm, only one with a 1.5 cm ulcerated tumor developed liver metastases. Of nine patients with a tumor more than or equal to 2 cm, three with known liver metastases underwent rectal biopsy only, and three had rectal biopsy and laparotomy with biopsy of liver metastases. Three patients underwent radical resection. Following abdominoperineal resection, one patient died with local recurrence after 5 years, and one developed hepatic recurrence after 5.5 years and died at 9 years. One patient with coloanal anastomosis developed local and hepatic metastases seven years after surgery and died at ten years. No patients developed carcinoid syndrome. DNA ploidy did not correlate with metastases at presentation or recurrence of carcinoid tumor. CONCLUSION: Radical resection of rectal carcinoids with ulceration or size greater than or equal to 2 cm is associated with a poor prognosis; however, survival may be long term, even in the presence of metastatic disease. DNA ploidy does not appear to be a useful prognostic factor for rectal carcinoid tumors.

Carcinoid Tumor↗