[Clinical featares and treatment principles of appendix carcinoid tumor: a report of 13 cases].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Appendix carcinoid tumor is a rare disease, and lack of classic clinical features. This study was to explore clinical characteristics and treatment principles of appendix carcinoid tumor.

METHODS

Clinical data, surgical procedures, and prognosis of 13 patients with appendix carcinoid tumor received appendectomy from 1985 to 2000 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The diagnosis was established through operation and pathology. Patients with appendix carcinoid tumor comprised 0.29% of 4483 patients underwent appendectomy during the same period. The tumors were located at the tip and the middle of appendix in 12 patients(92.3%). The diameter of tumor in 12 patients(92.3%) was less than 2 cm. Single appendectomy was performed on 11 patients, right-side colonectomy was performed on 2 patients. Nine patients were alive and remained free of tumor recurrence and metastasis, 3 were lost of follow up, and 1 died of heart disease. The 5-year survival rate is 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Appendix carcinoid tumor has no specific clinical symptom, and located at the tip and the middle of appendix; tumor with diameter of < 1 cm may be resected by single appendectomy.