Small cell carcinoma of the appendix

• Published in: World journal of surgical oncology Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 4
• Main Authors: O'Kane, Anna M, O'Donnell, Mark E, Shah, Rajeev, Carey, Declan P, Lee, Jack
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 15.01.2008; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Appendectomy - methods; Appendiceal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Appendiceal Neoplasms - pathology; Appendiceal Neoplasms - surgery; Appendix (Anatomy); Carcinoma, Small Cell - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Small Cell - secondary; Carcinoma, Small Cell - surgery; Case Report; Case studies; Colectomy - methods; Colonoscopy; Colorectal diseases; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Fatal Outcome; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastrointestinal diseases; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Liver Neoplasms - surgery; Medical examination; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1477-7819; 1477-7819
• DOI: 10.1186/1477-7819-6-4

An extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma is a rare condition. It has similar histological features to pulmonary small cell carcinoma and is equally aggressive. We present the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with right upper quadrant pain. Computerised tomography revealed an appendiceal lesion and multiple liver metastases. Exploratory laparotomy and right hemicolectomy was performed with histopathological analysis confirming a primary small cell carcinoma of her appendix. This is the first reported case of a pure extrapulmonary carcinoma arising from the appendix.