Adenocarcinoid of the appendix vermiformis

Adenocarcinoids are rare tumors with histological features of both carcinoid tumor and adenocarcinoma. They show a more aggressive biological behaviour than ventional carcinoids. We report a case of a 64-years-old female patient with a diffuse infiltration of the appendicular wall by an adenocarcinoid. Due to the positive surgical margin and the tumor expansion a hemicolectomy was performed. There are no precise criteria to direct the operative choice between appendectomy and hemicolectomy. It is thought that appendectomy is sufficient in case of small tumors in the tip of the appendix. Patients with diffuse appendicular involvement require a more aggressive surgical therapy.