The small neuroendocrine intestine tumor as the cause of acute gastrointestinal obstruction and diffuse peritonitis – case report

NET is a group of mostly malignant neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation. NET tumors are usually located in the small bowel (sbNET), in most cases their symptoms are the non-specific and surgical treatment of this pathogenic lesions is usually planned. Currently used classification of this group of tumors was created World Health Organization and is based on the rank expression of the Ki-67 (the mitotic index), angioinvasion and size of the tumor. GEP-NETs (gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors) are known for expressing specific extracellular markers, such as synaptophysin and chromogranin A (CgA), which are used in a diagnostic process and can be detected with immunohistochemistry methods. The occurrence of clinical symptoms only at the advanced stage of the tumor development explains a low rate of life expectancy. At present, surgical removal of the tumor is the most effective treatment method. This case report describes a 67-year-old female with acute symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction, complicated with acute peritonitis, who was diagnosed with sbNET during an ad hoc treatment.