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A half century of experience with carcinoid tumors in children
C A Corpron1, C T Black, C E Herzog
1Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas M.D., Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
Insights
Appendiceal carcinoid tumors are rare in children and typically present without severe symptoms. These tumors are generally not life-threatening, with a very low incidence of large growths and no observed recurrences or metastases in this pediatric cohort.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Appendiceal carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms.
- Understanding their behavior in pediatric populations is crucial for appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency, clinical presentation, management strategies, and patient outcomes for appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of institutional data spanning 50 years.
- Analysis of cases involving patients under 20 years of age diagnosed with appendiceal carcinoid tumors.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two pediatric patients were identified, with a mean age of 14.6 years.
- Twelve patients exhibited appendicitis-like symptoms; all tumors were ≤ 2.0 cm.
- Only two patients had procedures beyond appendectomy; no recurrences or metastases were observed.
Conclusions:
- Appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children are infrequently life-threatening.
- The incidence of large tumors (> 2.0 cm) is very low in this demographic.
- The necessity of right hemicolectomy for large appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children warrants further consideration.
Purpose:
To investigate the frequency, presentation, clinical management, and prognosis of appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children.
Method:
A review of our institution's experience over 50 years.
Results:
Twenty-two patients below the age of 20 presented with appendiceal carcinoid tumor. The mean age at presentation was 14.6 years. Twelve patients presented with symptoms of appendicitis. No tumor was > 2.0 cm in size. Only 2 patients underwent resection beyond appendectomy. No patient had recurrent or metastatic carcinoid tumor, and all but 1 patient (who died of ovarian choriocarcinoma) are alive without evidence of carcinoid tumors 1.5 to 30 years after diagnosis.
Conclusions:
Appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children are rarely life-threatening and the incidence of large tumors (> 2.0 cm) is very low. The role of right hemicolectomy in large (> 2.0 cm) tumors is questionable in this age group.