Adenocarcinoma of the appendix in pregnancy: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Perforation of an adenocarcinoma of the appendix in a pregnant woman is rare and may present as a pelvic mass and acute appendicitis.


METHODS
A 30-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2-0-0-2, presented at 26 weeks' gestation with an acute abdomen, right-sided pelvic mass and uterine contractions. Tocolysis and prompt surgical exploration revealed a perforated appendix. The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis, her postoperative course was benign, and she delivered a viable infant at term vaginally. Pathology revealed a perforated adenocarcinoma of the appendix. The patient was free of disease at 36 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Adenocarcinoma of the appendix in pregnancy is rare, may present as an acute abdomen with a mass and is managed with right hemicolectomy.
Morgan
Daniel R
DR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, NJ 07754, USA.
Fernandez
Carlos O
CO
DeSarno
Carney
C
Mann
William J
WJ
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome