Two Cases of Mucinous Cystadenoma of the Appendix Incidentally Found in Patients with Elevated Serum CEA Level

Abstract

　　Case I was a 85-year-old woman. She was referred to us as her serum CEA level was found as high as 9.2ng/ml at a clinic in her neighborhood. CT and ultrasound scans revealed a cystic tumor in the appendix area. A barium enema examination showed a tubercular lesion in the subcecal area. The surface of the lesion was flat and smooth. The vermiform appendix was not scanned with the contrast medium. 　　She was diagnosed with mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. Partial cecotomy was performed. The postoperative serum CEA fell to a normal level of 4.7ng/ml. 　　Case II was also a woman . The 74- year-old inpatient was being treated for high blood pressure and hyperlipemia when her serum CEA level was found elevated to 12.3ng/ml. CT and ultrasonograph examinations revealed a cystic tumor in the appendix area. A barium enema examination showed a mucocele-like tubercle in the appendix. The patient was diagnosed with mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix and partial cecotomy was performed. The CEA level was normalized postoperatively with 1.5ng/ml. 　　The pathologic tests confirmed either of these two cases was mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. Immunohistochemical staining showed a CEA positive.