Patterns of presentation and delivery of care of appendiceal neoplasms in the largest municipal health care delivery system in the United States.

Abstract

14 Background: Appendiceal neoplasms (AN) are rare tumors with a broad spectrum of referral and treatment patterns. NYC Health+Hospital (HHC) is the largest municipal health care system in the United States. Here, we study patterns of presentation and management of AN in this safety-net setting. Methods: We identified 92 patients in HHC with AN between 01/01/2017 to 07/01/2023. Statistical analyses were performed in Python. Results: There were 38 (41.3%) mucinous neoplasms, 24 (26.1%) adenocarcinomas, 23 (25.0%) neuroendocrine, and 7 (7.6%) ex-goblet cell adenocarcinomas. 16 cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 55 (IQR: 45-65). 49% were Hispanic, and African Americans were the largest racial block (28%). 50% of cases presented as appendicitis. Appendectomy and a second surgical intervention were more common in this group (p<0.001 and p=0.044, respectively). Other surgical interventions included colon resections and cytoreduction ± Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Among the patients with mucinous neoplasm or adenocarcinoma, 35 had multidisciplinary tumor board discussion (15 mucinous neoplasm and 20 adenocarcinomas). The median follow-up period was 22.0 months (95% CI: 11.5-30.7 months). Surveillance modalities included CT (75%), CEA (74%), and colonoscopy (35%). 85% remained within HHC during treatment. 16 patients were planned to have chemotherapy, including 9 pseudomyxoma peritonei cases. 5 patients did not follow through, and the other cases had a median of 10 cycles. The following adjuvant chemotherapy regimens were employed: 50% FOLFOX, 20% FOLFIRI, 20% XELODA, and 10% CapeOX and FOLFIRI. There were 2 cancer-related deaths (pseudomyxomas). Excluding pseudomyxomas, none had evidence of disease at the last follow-up. Conclusions: Minorities and immigrants constitute the majority of the population of HHC. 50% of AN presented as appendicitis emphasizing the need for a robust system to identify these cases. Despite challenges encountered in providing long-term oncological care, HHC has treated and provided vigorous follow-up for this underserved population. [Table: see text]