Metastatic carcinoid from occult primary masquerading as Crohn's disease

Abstract

Carcinoid tumors are neoplasms that are seen in all portions of the gastrointestinal tract. In some instances, primary tumors can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed owing to nonspecific presenting symptoms. In this case report we discuss a patient with vague abdominal symptoms and radiographic findings previously attributed to Crohn's disease, who at operative exploration was found to have a metastatic carcinoid tumor. This report demonstrates the nonspecific nature of metastatic carcinoid tumor and how its presentation can masquerade as more common gastrointestinal system abnormalities.