[Appendiceal carcinoid. Clinical observations and therapeutic considerations]

The Authors report 3 cases of carcinoid of the appendix discussing the difficult preoperative diagnosis and the different therapeutical options. Between May 1998 and August 1999 36 appendicectomies were performed, in 18 males and 18 females (age 14-89 years; m. a.: 51.5 years). In 3 cases histological response was positive for carcinoid of the appendix. No postoperative mortality or morbility was reported. In one case, the malignancy of histological response made a second operation of typhlectomy necessary, without postoperative complications. The Authors analyze the biological peculiarities and the prognostic factors of appendiceal carcinoid tumors, as size of the tumor and the lymphatic or vascular infiltration of the mesoappendix (and the relative more aggressive surgical treatments) and recommend an appropriate postoperative follow-up since synchronous or metachronous bowel carcinomas are likely to occur.