Appendicitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Appendicitis, including details on symptoms, surgery, causes, treatment.

Primary carcinoma of the appendix - Hull series.

Iwuagwu OC, Jameel JK, Drew PJ, Hartley JE, Monson JR

The University of Hull Academic Surgical Unit, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK.

BACKGROUND: Appendiceal carcinoma (AC) is a rare entity that does not have a well-defined treatment strategy. At presentation, most patients are clinically thought to have appendicitis and the diagnosis is made only by formal histology. Once the diagnosis of AC is made, patients are treated by various strategies including surgery, chemotherapy depending on nodal status of the disease. AIM: To review the Hull hospitals' experience with AC. METHODS: Between 1982 and 2002, 10 patients with primary AC were seen. The histopathology reports of all appendiceal specimens removed were traced. Follow-up was by chart review or patient follow-up as appropriate. We did not include patients with primary carcinoid tumours or secondary adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: There was an equal sex distribution. All patients underwent surgery, 3 had post-operative chemotherapy. Complete follow-up information was available with a median follow-up time of 56 months, with a range of 12-168 months. Five patients survived at least 4 years from the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Long-term survival in patients with AC is possible.

Published 20 September 2005 in Dig Surg, 22(3): 163-7.
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