Is T3 appendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinoma still an oncological riddle for acute care surgeons? A case report

Abstract

Appendectomy for acute appendicitis is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures nowadays. Here we present the case of a 48-year-old man who was admitted to our emergency department with abdominal pain suggestive of acute appendicitis. Then, the patient underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy, and the histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed an unexpected occult neoplasm: goblet cell adenocarcinoma (GCA). After a multidisciplinary evaluation, a right colectomy was performed with good oncological and clinical outcomes at the 1-year follow-up evaluation. To date, either nonoperative strategies or surgical radicalization treatment have been proposed for this condition. Therefore, the choice of the proper therapeutic algorithm is still a challenge for surgeons. This case report is an addition to the existing literature to hold surgeons' attention when managing such cases: multidisciplinary evaluation and patient-targeted therapies are the key steps to achieving good oncological and surgical outcomes.