Retrospective analysis of the appendiceal neoplasms: sampling technique may influence neoplasm detection

Appendiceal neoplasms are uncommon entities that are usually determined incidentally during the histopathological examination. Different techniques used for the macroscopic sampling of appendectomy material may affect the determinating neoplasms.

H&E-stained slides of 1280 cases who underwent appendectomy between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed retrospectively for histopathological features.

Neoplasms were determined in 28 cases (3.09%); 1 lesion was observed in the proximal part of the appendix, 1 covering the entire length from proximal to distal and 26 in the distal part. In the 26 cases that observed in the distal part, the lesion was seen on both sides of the longitudinal section of the distal appendix in 20 cases, while it was seen on only one distal longitudinal section in the remaining 6 cases.

The vast majority of appendiceal neoplasms are seen in the distal part of the appendix, and, in some cases, neoplasms might be seen on only one side of the distal section. Sampling only one-half of the distal part of the appendix, where tumours are most often observed, could result in some neoplasms being missed. Therefore, sampling the whole distal part would be more beneficial to determine small diameter tumours that do not create macroscopic findings.