Appendiceal tumors account for 22 percent of all carcinoids. They are treated by appendectomy and, in fact, are usually diagnosed for the first time at surgery. Lesions less than 5/8 in. (1.5 cm) in diameter are essentially 100 percent curable.
Appendiceal tumors larger than 3/4 in. (2 cm) are rare and treated like a carcinoma of the colon. For these larger tumors, removal of the right side of the colon and the lymphatics is recommended.
Five-Year Survival 99 to 100 percent
Rectal Carcinoid
These account for a quarter of all carcinoids. Rectal carcinoids less than 1/2 in. (1 cm) can be treated adequately by local excision (fulguration), with cure rates approaching 100 percent.
Carcinoid lesions larger than 3/4 in. (2 cm) are treated surgically. As with carcinoma, an abdominal-perineal resection may be necessary, but sphincter-preserving surgery maybe performed in some cases.
Lesions between 1/2 and 3/4 in. (1 to 2 cm) receive individualized treatment depending on extent of invasion. The cure rate is excellent.
