Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Case Report

Abstract

The patient was a 17-year-old female who presented with lower abdominal pain. She was initially suspected of having a periappendiceal abscess or an appendiceal tumor, leading to a referral to our hospital for further assessment. A definitive diagnosis was not reached from preoperative test results; however, with the possibility of an appendiceal malignancy in mind, a laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed. Rapid intraoperative histopathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma, prompting additional procedures, including a D2 lymph node dissection, right adnexectomy, and partial retroperitoneal resection to complete the surgery in a single session. Histopathological examination confirmed invasion up to the muscularis propria with no lymph node metastasis found. Although it is rare, it is crucial to consider the possibility of malignancy in young patients exhibiting atypical progression or imaging findings of appendicitis.