PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Where are 50% of carcinoid tumors typically found?

1. Appendix

2. Stomach

3. Small intestine

4. Colon

The correct answer is: Appendix

Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine tumors that can arise from various sites within the gastrointestinal tract, but approximately 50% of these tumors are found in the appendix. This prevalence is significant, as carcinoid tumors in the appendix often present with relatively benign behavior compared to those located in other areas, such as the small intestine. The appendix provides an ideal environment for the development of these tumors due to its unique histologic structure and neuroendocrine cells. When carcinoid tumors occur in the appendix, they may sometimes be discovered incidentally during an appendectomy, which further highlights their frequency in that anatomical site. In contrast, carcinoid tumors can also occur in the stomach, small intestine, and colon, but their occurrence rates in these areas do not match the incidence in the appendix. Understanding this distribution is crucial for recognizing and diagnosing carcinoid tumors based on their typical locations.