Primary Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix – A Case Report

• DOI: 10.2478/pjs-2014-0058
• Publication Date: 2014-09-15T17:02:31Z
• Authors: Artur Pasternak; Radosław Pach; Mirosław Szura; Rafał Solecki; Krzysztof A. Toma...; Wojciech Szczepański; Andrzej Matyja; Jan Kulig
• Keywords: Male; Adenocarcinoma; Middle Aged; Appendicitis; 3. Good health; Diagnosis, Differential; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Appendiceal Neoplasms; Acute Disease; Appendectomy; Humans; Laparoscopy

Abstract Primary adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix is a rare clinical condition. It usually presents as an acute abdominal process or as a mass in the right lower quadrant. The gross pathologic and microscopic characteristics of this disease are the same as for colon carcinoma and carry a serious prognosis. We report a case of a 64-year old male patient presenting symptoms of acute appendicitis. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy that revealed a severely inflamed appendix. Histopathological examination has shown that it was a poorly differentiated, high grade adenocarcinoma invading the periappendicular fat. According to the histopathological findings, a right hemicolectomy was further advised and performed. Right hemicolectomy is the generally recommended method of treatment for invasive adenocarcinoma of the appendix.