Clinico-Pathological Characteristics and Long-Term Outcomes of Incidental Appendiceal Carcinoid Tumors in Children

Appendiceal carcinoid tumors are uncommon in children and are usually found incidentally during histopathological examination after appendectomy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term outcomes of appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children.

Patients under 18 years old with a diagnosis of appendiceal carcinoid tumor were analyzed. Demographical, clinical, radiological, surgical, and pathological data and long-term outcomes were evaluated.

A total of 10 (0.64%) appendiceal carcinoid tumors were found in 1562 appendectomy specimens. The mean age of children with appendiceal carcinoid tumors was 12.6 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 2:3. Tumor localization was at the tip of the appendix in 9 (90%) patients. Seven (70%) tumors were smaller than 1 cm, while 3 (30%) tumors were between 1 and 2 cm. The depth of tumor penetration reached the subserosa in 8 (80%) patients and the mesoappendix in the remaining 2 (20%) cases. Surgical margins were intact in all patients, and no additional surgery was performed. The patients were followed up for an average of 42.4 months, and no recurrence was detected.

Appendiceal carcinoid tumors usually have nonspecific clinical-radiological findings and are almost always detected incidentally during the histopathological analysis of appendectomy specimens resected due to acute appendicitis. According to histopathology results, close follow-up and advanced surgical and medical treatments should be considered when necessary. Although the survival of patients is good, the possibility of colorectal malignancies should not be overlooked during follow-up.