Carcinoid Tumor of the Rectum Associated with Sarcoidosis: Case Report with Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: The association of malignant tumors and sarcoidosis is uncommon in clinical practice. It has been supposed, but not clearly demonstrated, that the two entities may be etiologically related. Case Report: A patient with a rectal carcinoid tumor and a bilateral hilar enlargement due to sarcoidosis is described. The patient had no specific symptoms from the endocrine tumor, and sarcoidosis was a coincidental finding. He underwent a low anterior rectal resection. Histological examination of the specimen revealed a T3–4 N0 carcinoid tumor, and sarcoidosis was proven by mediastinal biopsy. The patient received no further therapy for sarcoidosis. One year postoperatively the patient has no evidence for recurrent disease or metastasis, but bilateral hilar enlargement due to sarcoidosis is present even now. Conclusion: Only 4 patients with sarcoidosis and intestinal carcinoid tumor are reported in the literature. This is the first report of a patient with rectal carcinoid tumor associated with sarcoidosis. We emphasize the importance of mediastinal biopsy in patients with cancer and associated hilar lymphadenopathy in order to avoid the diagnosis of disseminated malignant disease.

Sarcoidosis and neuroendocrine tumours: case report and literature review

“…The association between sarcoidosis and different types of malignancies has been previously described [2–10]. Carcinoid or neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare tumours and association with sarcoidosis has been reported in the literature [11–25]. NETs can arise from any organ but most commonly from lung and small intestine [26].…”