Adenocarcinoma of the appendix

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Appendiceal adenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis.
• Preoperative diagnosis is challenging, often leading to delayed treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cases of appendiceal adenocarcinoma.
• To analyze diagnostic accuracy, incidence of secondary neoplasms, and survival rates.
• To identify prognostic factors for appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 22 appendiceal adenocarcinoma cases.
• Analysis of preoperative and intraoperative diagnostic accuracy.
• Evaluation of concurrent primary neoplasms.
• Assessment of overall and group-specific survival rates.
• Statistical analysis of prognostic factors, including tumor differentiation.

Main Results:

• No preoperative diagnosis was achieved in any case.
• Intraoperative diagnosis was made in only 38% of cases.
• 32% of patients had a second primary neoplasm, often concurrent.
• Overall 5-year survival was 18.7%; 43.4% in the curative resection group.
• Tumor differentiation grade was the sole significant factor for resectability and prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Appendiceal adenocarcinoma diagnosis is frequently delayed.
• Concurrent neoplasms are common in these patients.
• Tumor differentiation is a critical determinant of outcomes in appendiceal adenocarcinoma.