[Mucocele of the appendix in highly differentiated adenocarcinoma]

A patient 69 years old had been admitted at the University Women's Hospital Berlin because of a suspected ovarian tumour. Outside a computed tomography was done. In the small pelvis a tumour partly cystic and partly solid at the right side could be confirmed sonographically. Because this an operation was indicated. After opening the abdomen the internal female genital organs were in conspicuous with the exception of extensive adhesions. Histologically we found a mucocele of the vermiform appendix with a highly differentiated adenocarcinoma. All tissue layers were infiltrated and perforated. This combination of findings is very seldom, because carcinomas of the appendix could be proved only in 0.01 per cent of all appendectomies.