CASE REPORT   

Minerva Chirurgica 1999 March;54(3):175-8

Copyright © 1999 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

The carcinoid tumor of the appendix. A not really rare pathology

Celi D., Scuderi G., Battaglino D., Lupi A., Dramis-sino M. I.

Carcinoid tumors arise from neuroendocrine system and one of their preferred sites is the appendix. Most of appendiceal carcinoids almost always are clinically silent and are incidentally found at histological examination. For this reason, histological examination of the appendix is recommended in every case of the appendicectomy. Prognostic factors are: tumor stage, histologic pattern and differentation. The authors present 6 cases of appendiceal carcinoid tumor, clinically silent and found at histologic examination (3 cases of appendicectomy for acute appendicitis, 3 cases of appendicectomy associated with abdominal surgical interventions for other pathology) and compare their experience with the most recent literature on this subject. The conclusion is drawn that the size of this tumor is the main factor that surgeons must consider for the choice of surgical treatment. Incidental, clinical silent, small (less than 2 cm in size) appendiceal carcinoid tumors can be treated by appendicectomy, and they do not need follow-up. Greater (more than 2 cm in size) appendiceal carcinoid tumors, in young patients must be treated with a right hemicolectomy and they need follow-up (periodically radiological, ultrasonographic and endoscopic examinations, tumor markers) because there is the possibility of recurrence or metastases.