A goblet cell carcinoma of the appendix presenting as an acute appendicitis: a case report

Abstract

Background: A goblet cell carcinoma of the appendix is a rare neoplasm with histological features of both adenocarcinomas and carcinoid tumours. It has a more aggressive behaviour in comparison to the more common classic neuroendocrine appendiceal tumours. Clinical presentation is variable and a significant proportion of patients present with an acute appendicitis. The aggressive evolution of these tumours makes the management more challenging.

Case report: We report the case of a 43-year-old man with acute right iliac fossa pain who was initially diagnosed with an acute appendicitis. Histological analysis of the resected appendix demonstrated the presence of a goblet cell carcinoma with perineural and lymphovascular invasion. No distant metastasis was present. A right hemicolectomy was performed and adjuvant chemotherapy was administered.

Conclusion: Goblet cell carcinomas is a distinct entity which should be delineated from the classical appendiceal carcinoids. Its clinical evolution obliges a more aggressive therapeutic strategy.

Keywords:

• Appendix vermiformis
• goblet cell carcinoma
• appendix tumours

Ethical approval

In each case, ethics committee approval and informed consent of the patients were obtained.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.