A Case of Neuroendocrine Tumor of Appendix in a Child: Algorithm Necessary for Additional Lymph Node Resection

Abstract

We report a case of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the appendix in a child. A ten-year-old girl was diagnosed as having acute appendicitis and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. There was a small round tumor in the apex of the appendix. The pathological diagnosis was NET of the appendix, which is rare, and the prognosis is good. However, some cases showed lymph node metastasis. Direct invasion beyond the serosa, resection margin, lymph-vascular invasion, MIB-1 index, and tumor size are important factors for metastasis. We propound the algorithm of additional resection after appendectomy. In this patient, we decided to have no additional resection in conformity with this algorithm. No recurrence was observed three years and four months after the appendectomy.