A case of neuroendocrine tumor of the rectum treated by endoscopic mucosal resection

After undergoing colonoscopy at a local clinic for an abnormal fecal occult blood test a protruding, rectal lesion was detected; a 69-year-old man was referred to our hospital. The colonoscopy revealed in the Rb of the rectum a submucosal tumor with a 1 cm depression on the surface. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a low echoic tumor originating from the 3^rd layer and accompanied by some high echoic spots, which was diagnosed as a carcinoid. After an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), the condition was histopathologically diagnosed as a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) with a diameter of 12 mm. The tumor was considered to be endoscopically completely resected; there was no residual tumor at the margin, no venous invasion, and no infiltration into the proper muscle layer. The 1-year follow-up CT and colonoscopy showed no metastasis or local recurrence. When the diameter of an NET is>10 mm, local surgical resection subsequent treatment, required, which might result in the need for an artificial anus, especially if the rectum is involved. Thus, for intestinal NETs, EMR could be a potential treatment choice for accurate diagnosis and complete subsequent treatment.