Published in:
01-06-2010 | BRIEF COMMUNICATION
A Case of Signet Ring Carcinoma of the Appendix: Dilemmas in Differential Diagnosis and Management
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer | Issue 2/2010
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Purpose
Signet ring carcinoma (SRC) of the appendix consists one of the most biologically virulent cancers. We present the case of a patient with primary SRC complicated by the development of acute inflammation of the appendix.
Case Report
A 78-year-old man was admitted due to a 5-day history of increasing colicky abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinical examination revealed a firm, tender mass in the right ileac fossa. Laparotomy confirmed a tumor mass which appeared to originate from the appendix. The affected part of the bowel was resected and a right hemicolectomy with an end-to-side ileotransverse anastomosis was performed. The appendix was notably thickened with an ulcerated wall containing sinus tracts, chronic inflammation, and scarring. Moreover, a focus of SRC was detected.
Conclusions
Appendiceal SRC is a rare entity, which may sometimes be confused with other pathologies providing difficulties in differential diagnosis, having an impact on therapeutic decisions and affecting prognosis.