Gastroenterology · UKMLA & AKT
Colorectal neuroendocrine tumours
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise colorectal neuroendocrine tumours — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Arise from enterochromaffin (Kulchitsky) cells of the gut - formerly called 'carcinoid tumours'
- Rectum is the most common colorectal site; many small rectal NETs found incidentally on colonoscopy
- Carcinoid syndrome = hepatic (or distant) metastases until proven otherwise - serotonin bypasses hepatic first-pass metabolism
Right-sided cardiac disease (tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis) occurs because the pulmonary bed inactivates serotonin before it reaches the left heart - mitral/aortic involvement is rare.
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