Question

All of the following about gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are true, except:

• A. Small intestine and appendix account for almost 60% of all gastrointestinal carcinoids
• B. Rectum is spared
• C. 5 year survival for carcinoid tumors is >60%
• D. Appendiceal carcinoids are more common in females than males

Hint:

Which option claims a common carcinoid site is left out entirely?

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: This is a true/except question, so identify the one false statement. Carcinoid (well-differentiated neuroendocrine) tumours arise throughout the gut, with the GI tract being the commonest overall site.
Step 2: Option A is true. The small intestine and appendix together account for a large share, around 60%, of GI carcinoids, the small bowel being the leading single site.
Step 3: Option B says the rectum is spared, which is false. The rectum is actually one of the most common sites of GI carcinoids and is frequently picked up incidentally at endoscopy. Saying it is spared is medically wrong, so this is the EXCEPT answer.
Step 4: Option C is true. Carcinoids are generally indolent and slow growing, and overall 5 year survival exceeds 60%.
Step 5: Option D is true. Appendiceal carcinoids show a female preponderance, partly reflecting more appendicectomies and incidental detection in women.
Conclusion: The false statement, and therefore the correct answer, is B. Rectum is spared.