Signet ring cell carcinoma of the appendix manifesting as colonic obstruction and ovarian tumors: report of a case.

Abstract

Appendiceal cancer is rare and associated with a poor prognosis because it is usually found at an advanced stage. We report a case of appendiceal adenocarcinoma manifesting as a colonic obstruction with a lower abdominal mass. Laparotomy revealed bilateral ovarian tumors and a small appendiceal tumor with peritoneal metastases. We performed ileocecal resection, colectomy, and oophorectomy, following which a histological diagnosis of signet ring cell carcinoma was made. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive expression of cytokeratin 7 and 20, and mucin core protein 2 (MUC2), compatible with appendiceal cancer and Kruckenberg metastases. When a patient is found to have disseminated pelvic signet ring cell carcinoma of unknown origin, the appendix should be considered as a possible primary site.

• Authors: Jun Suzuki, Shinsuke Kazama, Joji Kitayama, Hiroshi Uozaki, Tetsuro Miyata, Hirokazu Nagawa
• Journal: Surgery today (Surg Today) Vol. 39 Issue 3 Pg. 235-40 ( 2009) ISSN: 1436-2813 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 19280284 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers

Topics

• Aged
• Appendiceal Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Intestinal Obstruction (diagnosis, etiology, surgery)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Ovarian Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology, surgery)
• Peritoneal Neoplasms (diagnosis, secondary, surgery)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed