[Neuroendocrine cell tumor of the stomach (carcinoid). Clinico-pathological experience with 4 patients and demonstration of its ultrastructure].

Neuroendocrine cell tumours of the stomach (carcinoid) are uncommon, low potential for malignancy, lesions grow slowly and produce hormonal substances in contrast with others malignant neoplasias of the gastrointestinal tract. Early diagnosis is important because the curative treatment could not be done in advanced stage with disseminated metastases. In small lesions less than 2 cm without invasion to lymph node, the local wedge resection is reasonable and definitive curative treatment. Neuroendocrine differentiation, in doubtful cases, becomes established by a characteristic silver affinity, by the ultrastructurally observed presence of "endocrine" secretion granules, and by immunohistochemically detectable biogenic amines, neurohormonal peptides and "panNE markers".