title: Carcinoid tumors of the appendix - last decade experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carcinoid of the appendix is a rare clinical entity in childhood and usually has a good clinical outcome. The impact of the operative preparations appendix ranges between 0.1-0.9%. The aim of our study is to report the experiences of our department in the management of appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of all patients aged 15 y or less who underwent appendectomy at the 2nd Department of Pediatric Surgery of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki between January 2004 and February 2014 were evaluated for the existence of appendiceal carcinoid tumors in pathological specimens. The collected data included: gender, patient's age, clinical indications and surgical intervention, tumor localization in the appendix and the diameter of lesion, histological type of the tumor and postoperative care (follow up) of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four cases (3 girls, 1 boy) with carcinoid treated at our department during a 10 y period. Median patient age was 10.75 y (9- 12 y). In all cases the diagnosis was after appendectomy on ground of acute appendicitis. A single incident brought findings of gangrenous appendicitis. In three cases the tumor's diameter was smaller than 1cm, while the incident with the gangrenous appendicitis was larger than 1cm in diameter. In four cases the tumor was localized at the apex of the appendix without extending to the surrounding tissues. In all patients with carcinoid tumor followed a further testing based on specific monitoring protocol. In no case was residual or metastatic disease identified and no further treatment was required. No relapse was observed during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study confirms the good prognosis of appendiceal carcinoid.
authors.affiliation: Resident in Pediatric Surgery, 2 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "PAPAGEORGIOU" , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Kleanthis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anastasiadis
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgeon, 2 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "PAPAGEORGIOU" , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Chrysostomos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kepertis
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgeon, 2 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "PAPAGEORGIOU" , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lampropoulos
authors.affiliation: Medicine Diploma, 2 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "PAPAGEORGIOU" , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Paschalis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsioulas
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Chief of the 2 Department of Pediatric Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "PAPAGEORGIOU" , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spyridakis
keywords: Appendiceal carcinoid; Children; Tumor