Small cell carcinoma of the appendix.
BACKGROUND
An extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma is a rare condition. It has similar histological features to pulmonary small cell carcinoma and is equally aggressive.


METHODS
We present the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with right upper quadrant pain. Computerised tomography revealed an appendiceal lesion and multiple liver metastases. Exploratory laparotomy and right hemicolectomy was performed with histopathological analysis confirming a primary small cell carcinoma of her appendix.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first reported case of a pure extrapulmonary carcinoma arising from the appendix.
O'Kane
Anna M
AM
Department of Surgery, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB, Northern Ireland, UK. okaneam@doctors.org.uk
O'Donnell
Mark E
ME
Shah
Rajeev
R
Carey
Declan P
DP
Lee
Jack
J
D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed