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.
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.