Clinico-Pathological Characteristics and Long-Term Outcomes of Incidental Appendiceal Carcinoid Tumors in Children

Abstract

Background: Appendiceal carcinoid tumors are uncommon in children and are usually found incidentally during histopathological examination after appendectomy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term outcomes of appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children. Methods: Patients under 18 years old with a diagnosis of appendiceal carcinoid tumor were analyzed. Demographical, clinical, radiological, surgical, and pathological data and long-term outcomes were evaluated. Results: A total of 10 (0.64%) appendiceal carcinoid tumors were found in 1562 appendectomy specimens. The mean age of children with appendiceal carcinoid tumors was 12.6 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 2:3. Tumor localization was at the tip of the appendix in 9 (90%) patients. Seven (70%) tumors were smaller than 1 cm, while 3 (30%) tumors were between 1 and 2 cm. The depth of tumor penetration reached the subserosa in 8 (80%) patients and the mesoappendix in the remaining 2 (20%) cases. Surgical margins were intact in all patients, and no additional surgery was performed. The patients were followed up for an average of 42.4 months, and no recurrence was detected. Conclusions: Appendiceal carcinoid tumors usually have nonspecific clinical-radiological findings and are almost always detected incidentally during the histopathological analysis of appendectomy specimens resected due to acute appendicitis. According to histopathology results, close follow-up and advanced surgical and medical treatments should be considered when necessary. Although the survival of patients is good, the possibility of colorectal malignancies should not be overlooked during follow-up.