We analyzed 43 women (61%) and 28 men (39%) surgically treated for carcinoid tumors from Jan/1975 to Dec/2011. Median age: 38 years (13-67). Typical carcinoid (TC) appeared in 63 (89%) patients, 8 (11%) suffered from atypical carcinoid (AC). Median follow-up: 4 years (1-24). TC stages were: IA = 33 (52%), IB = 10 (16%), IIA = 2 (3%), IIB = 2 (3%), IIIA = 12 (19%) and IIIB = 2 (3%); AC stages were: IA = 1 (12.5%), IIB = 1 (12.5%), IIIA = 2 (25%) and IIIB = 4 (50%). TNM classification did not show significant differences on 5-years survival period by stage (p = 0.689), even according to histological type (TC: p = 0.547; AC: p = 0.592). The disease-free survival rate was significantly lower (TC: 3 years vs. AC: 2 years, p = 0.000) and relapses were more frequent in AC (AC: 50% vs. TC: 2%, p = 0.000). The 7th TNM staging was not influential in estimating survival from carcinoid tumours in our population. The histological subtype was a better prognostic factor.
Keywords: TNM staging; carcinoid tumors.