Primary carcinoma of the appendix - Hull series.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term survival in patients with AC is possible.
Iwuagwu
O C
OC
The University of Hull Academic Surgical Unit, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK.
Jameel
J K A
JK
Drew
P J
PJ
Hartley
J E
JE
Monson
J R T
JR
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis