Primary malignant tumours of the appendix

Abstract

The malignant tumours of the appendix are unusual neoplasms, which definitive diagnosis is made only by histological examination of the specimen. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to the inespecific presentation, usually presented as acute appendicitis. The authors review the literature and report a retrospective analysis of seven cases of malignant tumour of the appendix: five carcinoid, one adenocarcinoid and one adenocarcinoma. These cases are the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição experience from 1994 to 1997, and denote an incidence of 0,8%, among all appendectomies. The study analyses patients age, sex, preoperative diagnosis, operative procedure and histological exam of the specimen.