Neuroendocrine gastric carcinoma in a young patient.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors cover a spectrum of neoplasms showing wide variations in their clinicopathological and pathogenetic features, as well as prognosis. They may develop throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract.

Case Report: We described a case of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma in a 29-year-old male. The patient presented with chronic continuous abdominal pain and weight loss over a 6-month period. Preoperative diagnosis, operative findings, histology and immunohistochemistry of the tumor confirmed the diagnosis of the rare neuroendocrine gastric carcinoma, stage T2N1.

Conclusion: Case reports of this rare tumor are important, because of the paucity of studies noted in the gastrointestinal literature as a result of poor identification prior to the advent of modern immunohistochemistry. Significance of accurately diagnosing gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors is crucial for an appropriate treatment.