Adenocarcinoma of the appendix.

The experience in Hamilton, Ontario, with adenocarcinoma of the appendix, between 1974 and 1980, is reviewed and the findings are compared with those of a previous report from Hamilton. There were seven patients (five men and two women) in the current series. The average age was 55.6 years. The unusual presenting signs and symptoms of this tumour are noted; the diagnosis is rarely made preoperatively. This tumor often cannot be distinguished from cecal or ileal malignant tumours. Detailed histologic examination of all specimens is essential to identify epithelial types and to plan treatment. While appendectomy alone may suffice for tumours confined to the appendiceal mucosa, radical right hemicolectomy is still the standard therapy. The authors' study shows no improvement in preoperative diagnosis, or in prognosis, over the earlier report. The authors recommend (a) that this condition be considered in the diagnosis of any appendiceal mass that is not obviously inflammatory, and (b) the frequent use of frozen-section examination to confirm the diagnosis.