Carcinoid tumors of appendix presenting as acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND

We aim to present the data of patients who underwent appendectomy due to acute appendicitis, and incidental carcinoid tumor was detected on pathology.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the patient charts between January 1999 and September 2018 were performed.

RESULTS

2778 appendectomy was performed due to acute appendicitis. Appendiceal carcinoid tumor was detected in 12 (0.43%) patients. Eight patients were (66.7%) female. Median age 37.5 years (range: 21-60). The median tumor size was 0.7 cm (range: 0.1-2.5). No perforation was detected. Eleven patients underwent appendectomy, and one patient had right hemicolectomy. The median follow-up period was 41.5 months (range: 22-49). There were no recurrences.

CONCLUSION

Appendix carcinoid tumors are quite rare, usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on histopathological examination after appendectomy. The treatment of carcinoid tumors of the appendix is directly related to the tumor size, localization, presence of lymphovascular and mesoappendix invasion, mitotic activation rate and level of Ki67. Thus, it is important to follow the histopathological results after appendectomy. The prognosis of appendix carcinoid tumors is very good if the appendix is non-perforated.