JOCS
Journal of Comprehensive Surgery

The aim of the Comprehensive Surgery is to publish original research articles of the highest scientific and clinical value at the international level in all surgical fields.

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Original Article
Incidence of malignancy in appendectomy specimens: a three-year retrospective analysis
Abstract
Aims: Appendectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures for acute abdominal pain. Appendectomy specimens submitted for pathology often show inflammatory changes, but a small percentage of incidental neoplasms can also be detected.
Methods: This study included all patients who underwent appendectomy at our institution between August 2022 and August 2025. All appendix specimens removed, regardless of the indication for surgery, were included. Pathology reports were retrieved from the electronic archive and combined to identify each patient individually.
Results: A total of 1168 appendectomy cases were included in the study. The patient ages ranged from 7 to 84 years. The median age was 33 (IQR: 24–42) years, and the mean age was 34.6 ± 12.5 years. 690 patients (59.1%) were male, 477 patients (40.8%) were female; gender information was not available for 1 patient. A total of 3 malignant cases were identified. Malignancy subtypes were recorded according to morphology codes as carcinoid tumor/NET (8240/3) and unspecified malignant neoplasia (8000/3). Additionally, 4 cases were reported as low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN). The ages of the LAMN cases ranged from 35 to 65 years, with two patients being male and two being female.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the incidence of malignancy in appendectomies is low, but different histological types, although rare, can be observed, which can alter clinical management. In addition to malignant subtypes such as neuroendocrine tumors and adenocarcinoma, LAMN cases should be carefully reported as a separate category. The fact that LAMNs can lead to complications such as pseudomyxoma peritonei increases the clinical importance of these lesions. The obtained data highlight the necessity of detailed histopathological examination of every appendectomy specimen. Furthermore, contributing current incidence data from our country to the literature may help both standardize pathological reporting and determine postoperative follow-up strategies.

Keywords : Appendectomy, neoplasms, neuroendocrine tumors, adenocarcinoma

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Article available in :
Volume 4, Issue 1, 2026
Page : 1-4
https://doi.org/10.51271/JOCS-0067
Article Information
Received : 28 Eki 2025
Accepted : 19 Ara 2025
Published : 24 Şub 2026
Corresponding Author :

Gökhan Karaca: Department of General Surgery, Sincan Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Seven TE, Amioğlu HH, Karaca G. Incidence of malignancy in appendectomy specimens: a three-year retrospective analysis. J Compr Surg. 2026;4(1):1-4.

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