Appendiceal neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritonei: A population based study

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 196 - 201
• Main Authors: Smeenk, R.M, van Velthuysen, M.L.F, Verwaal, V.J, Zoetmulder, F.A.N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2008
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - epidemiology; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - pathology; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - surgery; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Appendectomy - methods; Appendiceal lesion; Appendiceal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Appendiceal Neoplasms - pathology; Appendiceal Neoplasms - surgery; Chi-Square Distribution; Child; Cohort Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Incidence; Laparotomy - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Mucinous cystadenoma; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary - epidemiology; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary - pathology; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary - surgery; Netherlands - epidemiology; Peritoneal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Peritoneal Neoplasms - pathology; Peritoneal Neoplasms - surgery; Probability; Pseudomyxoma peritonei; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei - epidemiology; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei - pathology; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei - surgery; Registries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sex Distribution; Surgery; Survival Analysis; Netherlands; Pseudomyxoma peritonei; Appendiceal lesion; Mucinous cystadenoma
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2007.04.002

Abstract Background Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare disease with an estimated incidence of 1 per million per year, and is thought to originate usually from an appendiceal mucinous epithelial neoplasm. However it is not known exactly how often these neoplasms lead to PMP. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of both lesions and their relation. Methods The nationwide pathology database of the Netherlands (PALGA) was searched for the incidence of all appendectomies, the incidence of primary epithelial appendiceal lesions and the incidence and pathology history of patients with PMP. All regarded the 10-year period of 1995–2005. Results In the 10-year period 167,744 appendectomies were performed in the Netherlands. An appendiceal lesion was found in 1482 appendiceal specimens (0.9%). Nine percent of these patients developed PMP. Coincidentally, an additional epithelial colonic neoplasm was found in 13% of patients with an appendiceal epithelial lesion. A mucinous epithelial neoplasm was identified in 0.3% (73% benign, 27% malignant) of appendiceal specimens and 20% of these patients developed PMP. For mucocele and non-mucinous neoplasm the association with PMP was only 2% and 3%, respectively. From the nationwide database 267 patients (62 men and 205 women) with PMP were identified, which demonstrates an incidence of PMP in the Netherlands approaching 2 per million per year. The primary site was identified in 68% and dominated by the appendix (82%). Conclusions Primary epithelial lesions of the appendix are rare. One third of these lesions are mucinous epithelial neoplasms and especially these tumours may progress into PMP. The incidence of PMP seems to be higher than thought before. Furthermore there is a considerable risk of an additional colonic epithelial neoplasm in patients with an epithelial neoplasm at appendectomy.