Neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix

Abstract

The aim. The aim of our study was to analyze the available data from literature sources concerning the issues of epidemiology, pathology, clinic, diagnosis, and features of surgical treatment of neuroendocrine tumors of the vermiform process. Materials and methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of foreign and domestic literature sources that contain upto- date information about the state of the problem of neuroendocrine tumors of the vermiform process Results. Appendicular neuroendocrine tumors (ANEO) account for up to 16.7% of all neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In 54% of cases, ANEO show themselves for the fi rst time with a picture of an acute abdomen that resembles that of acute appendicitis. The main method of treatment is surgical. So far, there are no clinical guidelines that specify clear criteria for performing an appendectomy or right-sided hemicolectomy. Although gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors are less sensitive to it, there is evidence of a good response to temozolomide therapy (CAPTEM scheme: temozolomide+capecitabine). Octreotide can also be effective, especially in the group of functionally active ANIOS. The 5-year survival rate of patients with ANEO is 94% for tumors up to 1 cm in diameter, 70.5% for tumors larger than 2 cm, and 33.7% for distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion. Treatment of patients with ANEO gives rise to the following conflict situation: on the one hand, the risk of recurrence of the disease in the long term is quite low, but if it occurs, it significantly worsens the prognosis and, consequently, significantly affects the overall survival. We emphasize the need to further study the biological properties of ANIO, the importance of generalizing all available data, which is possible only with close international contact of scientists around the world.