Objectives        To describe the clinical features, course, treatment modalities, follow up and survival rates of women diagnosed with ovarian carcinoid tumours.

Methods           Retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with primary ovarian carcinoid, managed by the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer over a 32 year period.

Results             18 patients were identified. 14/18 were stage 1, 2/18 stage 3 and 2/18 stage 4. Carcinoid syndrome was present in 2/18. All underwent surgical management. Follow up varied significantly for early stage disease. 5 year survival was 100% for stage 1 disease, 25% for stage 3 and 4 disease.

Conclusions     The majority of carcinoid tumours are diagnosed as an incidental finding. Prognosis for early stage disease is excellent, whether conservative or definitive surgery with staging was performed, and intensive follow up versus discharge does not appear to impact survival. Optimal treatment for advanced disease remains unknown and requires further study.