Importance of capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy in a multifocal neuroendocrine tumor of the ileum

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2025 Jun 27. doi: 10.17235/reed.2025.11412/2025. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) are rare neoplasms with increasing incidence, accounting for 30-50% of all neoplasms in this location. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman who presented with melena. Capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy revealed submucosal lesions in the distal ileum, histologically confirmed as well-differentiated grade 1 NET (Ki-67 <3%). Endoscopic techniques play a pivotal role in the detection, localization, and histopathological grading of these tumors, which is essential for guiding therapeutic decisions. The mainstay of treatment is surgical resection with lymphadenectomy, achieving high survival rates in early-stage disease.