[Difficult diagnosis: acute appendicitis and appendiceal/cecal carcinoma].

INTRODUCTION

Primary carcinoma of the appendix vermiformis/caecum is very rare. The diagnosis can often be ascertained only postoperatively by histopathological means. Preoperative diagnosis is unusual.

METHOD AND

RESULTS

We report on five patients with an adenocarcinoma of the appendix/base of caecom, all operated on between July 1998 and October 1999.

CONCLUSION

A hemicolectomy "en principe" is not necessary. However, ileocaecal resection should have been performed during the first operation and there should be no positive lymph nodes. Postoperative diagnosis of a carcinoma after simple appendectomy necessitates Reoperation with right hemicolectomy.