Primary appendiceal tumors: report on 10 cases

We report our experience on 10 patients with primary tumors of the appendix treated at our institution from 1998 to 2005. There were 5 women and 5 men, with a mean age of 59.1 years. Laparotomy was performed in 4 cases; whereas, the other 6 patients underwent laparoscopic exploration: Three operations were completed laparoscopically, and 3 were converted to laparotomy. Six tumors were malignant, and the remaining were benign. Proportions of perioperative and late mortality were both 10%. Two of the four patients with benign tumors died from causes unrelated to the appendiceal neoplasm. The 6 patients with malignant tumors and the other 2 with benign disease were alive and disease free after a mean follow-up of 43 months. Despite the rarity of appendiceal primary tumors, surgeons should be aware of these neoplasms for making correct treatment decisions. We stress the importance of laparoscopic exploration in the management of appendiceal masses.