Incidental finding of an appendiceal neuroendocrine tumor after appendectomy in a young patient
Keywords:
adolescent; appendectomy; appendiceal neoplasms; incidental findings; neuroendocrine carcinoma; vermiform appendixAbstract
Introduction: Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms, diagnosed incidentally during the histopathological examination of appendectomy specimens. Their occurrence in adolescence is exceptional.
Objective: To highlight the importance of the systematic histopathological examination of all appendectomy specimens, even in young patients, as it allows for the diagnosis of occult neuroendocrine tumors, the detection of which modifies oncological management and prognosis.
Case Report: An 18-year-old healthy male patient underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis. The laparoscopic appendectomy was uneventful. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (grade G1) measuring 12 mm in the appendiceal tip, with invasion extending to the serosa, without involvement of the mesoappendix or lymphovascular invasion. Computed tomography and colonoscopy ruled out metastatic disease. Strict oncological follow-up was chosen without additional hemicolectomy.
Conclusions: This case emphasizes that the methodical histopathological examination of all appendectomy specimens, even in adolescents, has therapeutic and prognostic implications. The finding of a neuroendocrine tumor, although infrequent, requires a multidisciplinary approach and long-term oncological follow-up.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Vladimir Miranda Veitía, Junior Vega Jiménez, Ángela María Castañeda Muñoz, Lisneybi González González, Mayara Figueroa Domínguez, Oriol Alfonso Moya
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