Neuroendocrine tumours of the appendix: a retrospective study of 19 cases

Neuroendocrine tumours are the most common primary malignant neoplasms of the appendix and are found in 0,3-0,9 % of patients undergoing appendectomy. The aim of this study was to provide an updated overview on clinicopathological features, treatment and outcome of neuroendocrine tumours of the appendix. We undertook a retrospective study of 19 patients who were operated on for acute appendicitis at the General Surgery Department of Mongi Slim hospital of Tunis between February 2005 and October 2016. 2900 patients underwent emergency appendicectomy during the same period. Neuroendocrine tumours were incidentally identified in 19 histologically examined appendicectomy specimens (0,65%). There was a female predominance in our series consisting of 7 men and 12 women with a sex-ratio (M / F = 0,6). The average age of our patients was 28 years (ranging from 15 to 71 years). Clinically, all patients presented with acute appendicitis with raised inflammatory markers (n=10). All patients were managed with appendicectomy that was subsequently followed by right hemicolectomy in one case. The tumours ranged in size from 0,1 to 2,3 cm (mean = 1,08 cm). They were classified as grade 1 (n=18) and grade 2 neuroendocrine tumours. All patients remained tumour free with no evidence of metastasis or recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 24 months. Appendicular neuroendocrine tumours are rare and usually diagnosed incidentally; hence precise examination of routine appendicectomy specimens is fundamental in the diagnosis.