-2 :: Case - 5558 :: - Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix
Medical Image Database, Atlas, and Teaching File
All Cases are Peer Reviewed by an Editoral Panel

Tx and Followup:
Pt. had excision of the appendix which was origally diagnosed on CT as "chronic appendicitis". Pathology results demonstrated that appendix contained a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Unfortunately, at the time of surgery there was spillage of the appendiceal contents. Over the course of a year, the patient slowly developed pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Discussion Author: Valentine W. Curran

The appendix may rarely become distended with sterile mucus. The causes may include simple obstruction by an appendicolith, hyperplasia of the appendix mucosa with overproduction of mucus, a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix, or a mucinous adenocarcinoma. A mucocele is found in approximately 0.1% of appendectomies. The patient usually presents with vague abdominal pain, however, approximately 25% are asymptomatic and the mucocele is discovered incidentally at laparoscopy. They appear as oblong, low attenuation masses extending from the cecum. They may occasionally have rim calcification. If a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma ruptures into the abdomen then the patient will develop persistent gelatinous ascites which is extremely difficult to manage. This malignant, gelatinous ascities can displace and/or scallop organs. Chronic cases will develop septations which will often calcify.

Topic Details: Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix :: :: Search for other Topics with Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix

Highlight this =>[ Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix ]<= for a Popup Search Tool