Prevalence of, Subtypes of, and the Role of Age in Incidental Appendiceal Neoplasms in Acute Appendicitis: A Single-Institute Study from Bahrain.

Abstract

Primary appendiceal neoplasms (ANs) are rare entities that can present with acute appendicitis symptoms. Accurate diagnosis of these diverse subtypes is crucial for prognosis and proper management. This descriptive retrospective study aims to determine the prevalence and pathological subtypes of incidental ANs in patients presenting with acute appendicitis symptoms at Salmaniya Medical Center (SMC) in Bahrain between the period of January 2020 and March 2024. Particular focus was placed on investigating whether advanced age is a significant risk factor for these neoplasms. The study included 38,643 patients (aged 15 years and above) who underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis during the study period. Demographic data, clinical diagnoses, preoperative imaging findings, histopathological reports, and management details were analyzed. Medical records of patients were retrieved from ISEHA system. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel. The results showed that 12 patients (0.04% per year) had different subtypes of appendiceal tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors were the most common, identified in nine patients (75%), including nine cases of well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). Other histopathological subtypes included low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), adenocarcinoma, and goblet cell adenocarcinoma, each found in one patient. Additionally, two patients had confirmed appendiceal mucocele. The mean age of patients with ANs was 30 years (range: 19-52 years), and 66.6% were younger than 38 years. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of considering ANs in the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis, especially in older patients. Further research is warranted to confirm the role of age as a risk factor and guide clinical decision-making.