Metastatic neuroendocrine tumor presenting as spinal cord compression--a case report and brief comment.

Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors are derived from the diffuse neuroendocrine system of the gastrointestinal tract which is composed of amine and acid producing cells with different hormonal profiles, depending on the site of origin. The tumors they produce can be divided into carcinoid tumors and pancreatic endocrine tumors. We believe this to be only the fourth case in the literature of a patient presenting with cord compression as a result of a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (MEDLINE 1966-2000).