Spontaneous regression of large gastric carcinoid

Abstract

We report a female patient who presented with an epigastric lump proved on open biopsy to be a carcinoid tumor. She had raised serum glucagon level and increased excretion of 5-hydroxy indolacetic acid in the urine. She refused surgery and was followed up at 3 monthly intervals. At 6 months the tumor had decreased considerably in size. At one year it was no longer palpable and ultrasound examination clarified that there was no tumor. This was confirmed by the finding of normal levels of 5-HIAA in the urine.