Appendicular neoplasms and consequences in patients undergoing surgery for suspected acute appendicitis
Authors: Bolmers M. D. M. , de Jonge J. , van Rossem C. C. , van Geloven A. A. W. , Bemelman W. A. ,   and on behalf of the Snapshot Appendicitis Collaborative Study group, van Acker G. J. , Akkermans B. , Akkersdijk G. J. , Algie G. D. , Allema J. H. , Andeweg C. S. , Appeldoorn N. , van Baal J. G. , den Bakker C. M. , Bartels S. A. , van den Berg C. , Boekestijn B. , den Boer F. C. , Boerma D. , van den Boom A. L. , Boute M. C. , Bouwense S. A. , Bransen J. , van Brussel F. A. , Busch O. R. , de Castro S. M. , Cense H. A. , Croese C. , van Dalen T. , Dawson I. , van Dessel E. , Dettmers R. , Dhar N. , Dohmen F. Y. , van Dongen K. W. , van Duijvendijk P. , Dulfer R. R. , Dwars B. J. , Eerenberg J. P. , van der Elst M. , van den Ende E. , Fassaert L. M. , Fikkers J. T. , Foppen J. W. , Furnee E. J. , Garssen F. P. , Gerhards M. F. , van Goor H. , de Graaf J. S. , Graat L. J. , Grootr J. , van der Ham A. C. , Hamming J. F. , Hamminga J. T. , van der Harst E. , Heemskerk J. , Heijne A. , Heikens J. T. , Heineman E. , Hertogs R. , van Heurn E. , van den Hil L. C. , Hooftwijk A. G. , Hulsker C. C. , Hunen D. R. , Ibelings M. S. , Klaase J. M. , Klicks R. , Knaapen L. , Kortekaas R. T. , Kruyt F. , Kwant S. , Lases S. S. , Lettinga T. , Loupatty A. , Matthijsen R. A. , Minnee R. C. , Mirck B. , Mitalas L. , Moes D. , Moorman A. M. , Nieuwenhuijs V. B. , Nieuwenhuizen G. A. , Nijk P. D. , Omloo J. M. , Ottenhof A. G. , Palamba H. W. , van der Peet D. L. , Pereboom I. T. , Plaisier P. W. , van der Ploeg A. P. , Raber M. H. , Reijen M. M. , Rijna H. , Rosman C. , Roumen R. M. , Scmitz R. F. , van der Schouten Velden P. A. , Scheurs W. H. , Sigterman T. A. , Smeets H. J. , Sonnevled D. J. , Sosef M. N. , Spoor S. F. , Stassen L. P. , van Steensel L. , Stortelder E. , Straatman J. , van Susante H. J. , Suykerbuyk de Hoog D. E. , Terwisscha van Scheltinga C. , Toorenvliet B. R. , Verbeek P. C. , Verseveld M. , Volders J. H. , Vriens M. R. , Vriens P. W. , Vrouenraets B. C. , van de Wall B. J. , Wegdam J. A. , Westerduin E. , Wever J. J. , Wijfels N. A. , Wijnhoven B. P. , Winkel T. A. , van der Zee D. , Zeillemaker A. M. , Zietse C. 
Published: July 2020

Introduction

In patients treated with an appendectomy for acute appendicitis, the specimen is generally sent for histological evaluation. In an era of increasing non-operative treatment for acute appendicitis, it is important to know the incidence, the diagnostic accuracy, and treatment consequences of appendicular neoplasms that are found in acute appendicitis. We hypothesize that pre- and intra-operative parameters might predict an appendicular neoplasm.

Methods

Data was used from our previous prospective observational cohort study. All patients undergoing surgery for suspected acute appendicitis were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of appendicular neoplasms in patients operated for acute appendicitis. Secondary outcomes were pre-operative diagnostics and imaging outcomes, intra-operative surgical judgment, and postoperative management and outcome. Possible predictors of an appendicular neoplasm were identified and used in multivariable logistic regression. Patients with an appendicular neoplasm were followed for 3 years after initial appendectomy.

Results

A total of 1975 patients underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis and in 98.3% (1941/1975) the appendix was removed. In 1.5% (30/1941) of these patients, an appendicular neoplasm was found. Among the malignant neoplasms, the majority were grade 1 neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in 65% (13/20). On pre-operative imaging, there was no suspicion of malignancy. In three cases, there was an intra-operative suspicion of malignancy. Multivariable analysis showed only age as an independent predictor for appendicular neoplasms. No recurrent or new malignancy was found during follow-up.

Discussion

The incidence of appendicular neoplasm in patients undergoing an acute appendectomy is very low and clinical risk factors could not be identified.