Neoplasms of the appendix

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 25 Mar 2020

There are a number of neoplasms that can involve the vermiform appendix, some of which are peculiar to this site.

Epidemiology

Tumors involving the appendix have been found in only about 1% of all appendectomy specimens 9. Epithelial neoplasms and neuroendocrine tumors represent the vast majority of the tumors affecting the appendix

Clinical presentation

Symptoms may vary from patients being completely asymptomatic, such as in small benign neuroendocrine tumors, to a clinical picture of acute appendicitis, which is reported in ~40% of cases and is most commonly seen associated with neuroendocrine tumors 9

Mucinous neoplasms can lead to abdominal pain, gastrointestinal obstruction, and abdominal distension when the complication pseudomyxoma peritonei has developed.

Carcinoid syndrome related to malignant neuroendocrine tumors is rare, present in less than 5% of patients with this tumor. 

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