Mucinous epithelial neoplasms of the appendix and pseudomyxoma peritonei

• Published in: Modern pathology Vol. 28; no. Suppl 1; pp. S67 - S79
• Main Author: Misdraji, Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Nature Publishing Group US 01.01.2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: 692/699/1503/1504; 692/700/139/422; 692/700/1750; 692/700/459; Appendiceal Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Laboratory Medicine; long-course-article; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial - pathology; Pathology; Peritoneal Neoplasms - pathology; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei - pathology
• ISSN: 0893-3952; 1530-0285; 1530-0285
• DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2014.129

The classification of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms has been controversial, largely focused on a particular subset of low-grade mucinous tumors that, despite their innocuous appearance, can disseminate to the peritoneal cavity as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Recent WHO classification of these tumors as low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms acknowledges their unique morphologic appearance and biologic behavior. Still, debate about the use of this term and its parameters continues to impede the adoption of consensus classification for appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. The classification of PMP has also been the subject of debate, with international authorities advocating for the use of malignant terminology to describe all grades of PMP, even though some authorities consider low-grade PMP to be dissemination of adenomatous epithelium in the peritoneum. Recent data also emphasize the importance of histologic grade of the peritoneal tumors in defining prognosis of these patients.