Appendicitis caused by caecal carcinoma--a case report

Appendicitis can occur rarely in association with carcinoma of the caecum, particularly in elderly patients. The prognosis for caecal or proximal colonic neoplasm presenting as appendicitis is poor. This is in part due to the association being missed at the initial laparotomy. We report a case of acute appendicitis provoked by an adenocarcinoma of the caecum which obstructed the lumen of appendix in an 84 years old patient by which a simple ileocaecal resection was performed. The difficulties of identifying a small tumor at laparotomy and the implication for optimal treatment are emphasized. It is suggested that a more aggressive attitude should be taken in the pre and postoperative management of any patient over 50 years of age who presents with appendicitis.