A Decade-Long Retrospective Clinicopathological Study of Appendiceal Neoplasms

Appendiceal neoplasms (ANs) are uncommon, representing less than 1% of all gastrointestinal tumors. They are most often discovered incidentally during appendectomies performed for suspected acute appendicitis. Recent studies have reported an increase in the incidence of AN. Our study aimed to analyze the spectrum of AN and determine the cases discovered incidentally.

This retrospective descriptive study was performed over 10 years, from March 2014 to March 2024, at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital in Chennai, India. Complete enumeration sampling was performed, and tumor registries were reviewed to identify all cases of AN received during the study period. The corresponding clinical and radiological data were obtained from the hospital database, whereas histopathology records were used to evaluate tumor characteristics. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed, and the spectrum of AN was analyzed.

During the study period, 12 cases of AN were identified. Eleven cases (91.7%) were diagnosed from appendicectomy specimens, while one was from a right hemicolectomy specimen. Of these 12, nine cases (75%) were incidental findings. In our study, we found that there was a higher number of female cases, with nine out of twelve cases (75%) being female. Most patients presented with abdominal pain, and acute appendicitis was the most frequent preoperative diagnosis. Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm was the most common type encountered followed by other appendiceal tumors.

The incidence of AN has increased in recent years, with most cases being found incidentally. Given the increasing rate of incidental AN, it is vital to maintain vigilance in specimen analysis including comprehensive examination and precise grossing to ensure malignancies are not overlooked.