Schistosomiasis may contribute to goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix

Clinicopathological characteristics and its association with digestive system tumors of 1111 patients with Schistosomiasis japonica

Schistosomiasis japonicum can cause different degrees of organ damage and complex human immune pathological reactions, which often invade the intestine and liver. The purpose of this study was to explore the pathological types and pathological changes of Schistosomiasis and their correlation with some digestive system tumors. Hematoxylin eosin staining was performed on the diseased tissues of 1111 Schistosomiasis cases. We counted the deposition sites of Schistosoma eggs, analyzed the pathological characteristics, and compared the clinicopathological characteristics of Schistosomiasis associated digestive system tumors and non-Schistosomiasis digestive system tumors. We found that Schistosoma japonicum can cause multi organ and multi system damage, with 469 cases of inflammation, 47 cases of adenoma, and 519 cases of adenocarcinoma. Other types include cysts, stromal tumors, malignant lymphomas, and neuroendocrine tumors. Schistosomiasis associated tumors, including gastric cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer, were compared with non-Schistosomiasis tumors. There were significant differences in age, gender and tumor differentiation between the two groups. Our study shows Schistosomiasis is a systemic disease, causing multiple organ and system damage in the human body. Its clinicopathological types are diverse, and there may be a pathological change process of "Inflammation-adenoma-carcinoma". Schistosomiasis associated digestive system tumors differ from non-Schistosomiasis tumors in some clinicopathological features.

Appendiceal Goblet Cell Carcinoma: Role of Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Goblet cell carcinoma (GCC) encompasses a separate entity in appendiceal neoplasms with mixed glandular and neuro-endocrine pathological features. GCC mostly presents as an acute appendicitis duo to luminal obstruction or as an incidental finding on the surgical appendectomy specimen. In case of tumour perforation or presence of other risk factors, guidelines suggest additional treatment with a completing right hemicolectomy or cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). We report the case of a 77-year-old male with symptoms of appendicitis for which an appendectomy was performed. The appendix was ruptured during the procedure. There was an incidental finding of GCC on the pathological specimen. Because of possible tumour soiling, the patient received a prophylactic CRS-HIPEC. A literature review was performed to investigate the potential role for CRS-HIPEC as a curative treatment in patients with GCC. GCC of the appendix is an aggressive type of tumour with a high risk of peritoneal and systemic dissemination. CRS and HIPEC is a treatment option: both in a prophylactic setting and in patients with established peritoneal metastases.

Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix: A Systematic Review and Incidence and Survival of 1,225 Cases From an English Cancer Registry

Background

Goblet cell adenocarcinoma (GCA) of the appendix is a rare and aggressive tumour with varying nomenclature and classification systems. This has led to heterogeneity in published data, and there is a lack of consensus on incidence, survival, and management.

Methods

We provide an overview of GCA with a comprehensive systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology and a retrospective analysis of all cases recorded in the English National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service database between 1995 and 2018. The Kaplan–Meier estimator was used to calculate overall survival, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify prognostic factors.

Results

The systematic review demonstrated an incidence of 0.05–0.3 per 100,000 per year among North American registry studies. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate was 95.5%, 85.9%–87.6%, and 76.0%–80.6%, respectively. Age, stage, and grade were identified as prognostic factors for survival. Our analysis included 1,225 cases. Age-standardised incidence was 0.0335 per year in 1995 and gradually rose to 0.158 per year in 2018. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate was 90.0% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 85.4–94.0], 76.0% (95% CI: 73.8–80.9), and 68.6% (95% CI: 65.9–72.2), respectively. On univariate Cox regression analyses, female sex, stage, and grade were associated with worse overall survival. On multivariate analysis, only stage remained a statistically significant prognostic factor.

Conclusions

GCA of the appendix is rare, but incidence is increasing. We report a lower incidence and survival than North American registry studies. Higher stage was associated with decreased survival. Further prospective studies are required to establish optimal management.

Goblet Cell Carcinoid (GCC) of the Appendix presenting as a Small Bowel Obstruction

A 68 year old male presented to our Emergency Department with a one-day history of right sided abdominal pain, distention and vomiting on a background of no previous abdominal surgery. Abdominal CT demonstrated a high grade, closed loop small bowel obstruction involving the terminal segment of the ileum. Also of significance was alow-density appendiceal nodule. A subsequent laparoscopy revealed the tip of the appendix adherent to the mesosigmoid colon, forming a tight band and consequent mechanical bowel obstruction. Furthermore, the meso-appendix was embedded with crystal deposits and extruding mucin. The decision was made to convert to laparotomy and perform a caecectomy. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated reactivity to synaptophysin, chromogranin A and CD56, confirming the diagnosis of Goblet Cell Carcinoid. A staging CT after this initial surgery revealed no metastasis. After discussion at our oncology MDT, the patient went on to receive a completion right hemicolectomy which revealed no further malignancy on histology. The patient otherwise progressed well, and made a good post-operative recovery.

Management of Appendix Cancer

Primary cancers of the appendix are rare and are frequently diagnosed after surgery for appendicitis, presumed ovarian primary malignancy, or other indications. Primary appendix cancers are histologically diverse, and classification of these tumors has historically been confusing because of the nonstandardized nomenclature that is used. This review aimed to describe the epidemiology, presentation, workup, staging, and management of primary appendix cancers using current, recommended nomenclature. For this purpose, tumors were broadly classified as colonic-type or mucinous adenocarcinoma, goblet cell adenocarcinoma, or neuroendocrine carcinoma. Signet ring cell carcinoma was not regarded as an individual entity. The presence of signet ring cells is a histologic feature that may or may not be present in colonic-type or mucinous adenocarcinoma. The management of primary appendix cancer is complex and is dependent on the histologic subtype and extent of disease. Randomized, prospective trials do not exist for these rare tumors and management is largely guided by retrospective data expert consensus guidelines, which are summarized here.

Bowel parasitosis and neuroendocrine tumours of the appendix. A report from the Italian TREP project

Five children with a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) of the appendix associated with a parasitic bowel infection are described, and the possibility of inflammation-triggered carcinogenesis is discussed. Schistosoma haematobium is linked primarily to bladder cancer but it has been reported in association with several other histotypes, including NETs of the gastrointestinal tract. Conversely, Enterobius vermicularis has not yet been claimed to participate in the onset of pre-cancerous conditions or tumours. The rare occurrence of contemporary appendiceal NETs and parasitic infection, raises the intriguing hypothesis of an inflammation-related carcinogenesis, although a cause–effect relationship cannot be established. Larger international series of childhood appendiceal NETs, which also include countries with higher prevalence of parasitic bowel infections, are needed to further clarify this possible cause–effect relationship.

Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumours in childhood: Italian TREP project

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the appendix are slow-growing tumours and, although rare, they are the most common gastrointestinal epithelial tumours in childhood and adolescence. The treatment and the follow-up screenings have not been standardised. In addition to this, although tumour size is considered the main prognostic variable to define the aggressiveness of approach, a precise cutoff needs to be established.

METHODS

A total of 113 patients younger than 18 years with a diagnosis of appendiceal NETs were registered as of January 1, 2000, until May 30, 2013, within the Rare Tumors in Pediatric Age (TREP) project, an Italian multi-institutional network dedicated to rare tumours in children and adolescents. The recommendations of the Rare Tumors in Pediatric Age study included imaging and laboratory investigations. The treatment after appendectomy was decided on the basis of histology, tumour size, and imaging; primary reexcision (PRE) was not recommended in completely excised tumours, regardless of tumour size and invasiveness.

RESULTS

A total of 113 of 113 patients had a diagnosis of well-differentiated NETs; in 108 of 113 the tumour was smaller than 2 cm and in 5, larger than 2 cm. Excision margins were free in 111 of 113 patients. In 3 of 113 a PRE was performed, and in 1 residual tumour was detected. All 113 of 113 patients are alive in complete remission (median follow-up of 41 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Reported data and our experience showed that no relapse or death occurred in children and adolescents affected by appendiceal NETs. Appendectomy alone should be considered curative for most patients, and a more aggressive surgical approach is warranted in the cases with incompletely excised tumours.

Goblet cell carcinoids of the appendix

Goblet cell carcinoid (GCC) tumors are a rare subgroup of neuroendocrine tumors almost exclusively originating in the appendix. The tumor most often presents in the fifth or sixth decade with a clinical picture of appendicitis or in advanced cases an abdominal mass associated with abdominal pain. Histologically tumors are most often positive for chromogranin A and synaptophysin, however, less homogenous than for classic appendix carcinoids. The malignant potential is higher than that for the classic appendix carcinoids due to local spread and distant metastases at diagnosis and the proliferation markers (Ki67 index) may determine prognosis. Octreotide receptor scintigraphy is usually negative while CT/MRI scans may be useful. Chromogranin A is usually negative and other biomarkers related to the mucinous component or the tumor (CEA, CA-19-9, and CA-125) may be used. Surgery is the main treatment with appendectomy and right hemicolectomy while patients with disseminated disease should be treated with chemotherapy. Overall 5-year survival is approximately 75%. The diagnosis and treatment of GCC tumorss should be restricted to high volume NET centers in order to accumulate knowledge and improve survival in GCC NET patients. The aim of this paper is to update on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic markers including Ki67 index, treatment, and survival.