5. Carcinoid or NET of the appendix: Difference between revisions

'''Theory''': The term “carcinoid” refers to a neuroendocrine cancer. In the <abbr>GI</abbr> tract is not the term “carcinoid” preferred but rather the term “low grade neuroendocrine tumor”. The histological morphology of the tumor cells is similar to that of the neuroendocrine tumor in the pulmonology chapter. The cells are small, they have the salt and pepper chromatin morphology and show only mild atypia.[[File:Carcinoid of the appendix - insular growth pattern.png|thumb|See how the tumor cells organize into differently-sized “nests”. This is the “insular” growth pattern.]]Neuroendocrine tumors are always malignant. The fact that the “main” tumor in the slide shows benign features like its well-circumscribed, expansile border must not mislead you. The tumor has already invaded to the upper left corner of the slide. Compare that corner with the right side of the slide, which is cancer-free.