Incidental Appendiceal Tumors During Appendectomy: A Nineteen-Year Retrospective Review at a Municipal Hospital

Abstract

Non-operative management of appendicitis (NOMA) has recently gained popularity, but a concern is that NOMA might miss appendiceal neoplasms. We conducted a retrospective review of 1694 appendectomies done for acute appendicitis at our institution between January 2001 and December 2019 to study the incidence and distribution of appendiceal tumors. We identified 24 appendiceal neoplasms (1.43%), including 9 Low Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms (LAMNs), 6 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), 6 mucoceles, and one each of adenocarcinoma, endometrioma, and neurofibroma. Tumor occurrence had two age peaks, with LAMNs prominent in the 5th and 6th decades of life and NETs in the 2nd and 3rd decades. All patients under age 40 had benign disease. Presence of appendicoliths was independent of the presence of neoplasms. All cases were managed per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, with twenty cases cured by appendectomy alone. Given these, we conclude that NOMA is safe for patients under 40.