Primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix: A review

Abstract

Adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix is rare constituting less than 0.5 % of all gastrointestinal tumours. It is most commonly seen after the fifth decade of life with a slight male preponderance. It stains positive for cytokeratin 20 which is utilized in immunohistochemical diagnosis. The commonest clinical presentation is that of acute appendicitis but the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma is usually made after histologic analysis of the specimen. It may also manifest with evidence of local or distant spread. The staging system used is commonly Duke's and the prognosis is dependent on the stage and grade of tumour. The primary aim of this article is to emphasize the need to subject all appendicectomy specimens for histologic analysis and to offer the patient with adenocarcinoma right hemicolectomy which may be curative in early cases. Patients should be followed up with surveillance for a long time due to the high incidence of synchronous and metachronous tumours especially of the gastrointestinal tract.

Keywords: adenocarcinoma, appendix.

Journal of College of Medicine Vol. 11 (2) 2006: 78-81