Abstract

James Lucocq, Natalia Torres De Araujo Albuquerque and Darren J. Porter*

ABSTRACT

Neoplasms of the vermiform appendix are rare and may be encountered at any elective or emergency operation. It is estimated that 50% of appendicular neoplasms present as appendicitis and are diagnosed on pathologic examination of the surgical specimen. The incidence is 0.4% to 1% of gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms. Carcinoid tumors are the most common primary tumor identified in the appendix. Adenocarcinoma of the appendix is very rare and occurs at a frequency of 0.08% to 0.1% of all appendectomies. In this study, we report a case of appendiceal adenocarcinoma diagnosed histologically following a laparoscopic appendicectomy and review the literature on this rare pathology.