Assessment of appendix carcinoid tumors: A retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Carcinoid tumors of the appendix are rare neoplasms.
• Appendiceal carcinoid tumors are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during appendectomy for presumed appendicitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of carcinoid tumors in patients undergoing appendectomy.
• To analyze treatment strategies and survival outcomes for appendiceal carcinoid tumors.
• To investigate demographic and clinical characteristics of these tumors in a specific Turkish population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 6369 patient files who underwent appendectomy between January 2011 and December 2017.
• Identification and classification of carcinoid tumor cases.
• Review of treatment applied and patient follow-up data.

Main Results:

• 17 cases of carcinoid tumor were identified (16 classic, 1 goblet cell).
• Carcinoid tumors were twice as common in females.
• 82.4% of tumors had a diameter <1 cm; classic carcinoid tumors <2 cm were managed conservatively with observation.
• No recurrence or progression of carcinoid syndrome was observed during a 5-year follow-up.
• The 5-year survival rate for all patients was 100%.

Conclusions:

• Appendiceal carcinoid tumors are frequently asymptomatic and incidentally detected.
• Careful histopathological examination after appendectomy is crucial for diagnosis.
• Observation is a suitable management strategy for small, classic carcinoid tumors.
• Appendiceal carcinoid tumors demonstrate excellent long-term survival outcomes.