An analysis of research biopsy core variability from over 5000 prospectively collected core samples

Factors correlated with biopsy tissue adequacy and the prevalence of within-biopsy variability were evaluated. Totally, 1149 research biopsies were performed on 686 patients from which 5090 cores were assessed. Biopsy cores were reviewed for malignant percentage (estimated percentage of cells in the core that were malignant) and malignant area (estimated area occupied by malignant cells). Linear mixed models and generalized linear mixed models were used for the analysis. A total of 641 (55.8%) biopsies contained a core with <10% malignant percentage (inadequate core). The chance of an inadequate core was not influenced by core order, though the malignant area decreased with each consecutive core (p < 0.001). Younger age, bone biopsy location, appendiceal tumor pathology, and responding/stable disease prior to biopsy increased the odds of a biopsy containing zero adequate cores. Within-biopsy variability in core adequacy is prevalent and suggests the need for histological tumor quality assessment of each core in order to optimize translational analyses.

Low-grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm (Appendiceal Villous Adenoma) with Cystic Fibrosis: A Case Report

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by the dysfunction of exocrine secretory glands resulting from a mutation in the transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR) gene. As life expectancy increases in patients with cystic fibrosis secondary to advances in treatment, advanced age malignancies secondary to cystic fibrosis emerge. Especially, the frequency of gastrointestinal system malignancies and colon cancers increases with aging. Appendiceal tumors are a rare entity and constitute less than 1% of gastrointestinal tumors. We presented a villous adenoma encountered in an 18-year-old male patient with CF accompanied by clinical and radiological findings. Our case is the first reported appendiceal tumor that emerged in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Actinomycosis of the appendix mimicking appendiceal tumor: a case report and review of the literature

Actinomycosis is an uncommon entity caused by an anaerobic bacterium, Actinomyces Israeli, a component of the human oral and gastrointestinal flora. However, it can cause clinical disease, usually consisting of chronic inflammation and sinus tract formation. Abdominal actinomycosis, a rare entity itself, most commonly occurs at the appendix and in the ileocecal valve area. Authors present the case of a 24-year-old patient in which this disease presented as acute appendicitis resolved with a simple appendicectomy, and the etiology, actinomycosis was proved only in the histopathological report.

Neuroendocrine appendiceal tumor and endometriosis of the appendix: a case report

Introduction Endometriosis of the appendix is very uncommon, accounting for only about 1% of all cases of endometriosis. However, endometriosis is found in the appendix in approximately 8–13% of patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis and is particularly common in patients with severe forms of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Neuroendocrine tumors are the most common neoplasms of the appendix and may be misdiagnosed when there are multiple endometriosis lesions in the pelvis. Case presentation We describe a case of a Caucasian patient with deep infiltrating endometriosis with rectal involvement, retrocervical lesions, and a right ovarian endometrioma with no suspected lesions in the appendix. She underwent laparoscopy and, after a systematic intraoperative evaluation, suspected involvement of the appendix was observed. The patient underwent ovarian cystectomy, excision of the pelvic endometriosis lesions, appendectomy, and anterior stapler discoid resection. Histopathological analysis of the appendix revealed endometriosis and a well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma at the appendix tip. Discussion Our patient’s case emphasizes the need to approach these lesions carefully and strengthens the indication for appendectomy when the appendix is affected in the setting of endometriosis. Despite the more likely diagnosis of appendiceal endometriosis, neuroendocrine tumors cannot be ruled out by imaging examinations, and both conditions can occur in the same patient.

Primary Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma Presenting with Hematochezia due to the Invading Tumor in the Sigmoid Colon

Primary appendiceal tumors are rare malignancies; some cases have been described to invade other organs, and this represents a very rare clinical condition. We report a case of appendiceal adenocarcinoma invading the sigmoid colon and a review of similar cases. A 69-year-old woman with complaints of hematochezia was admitted to the hospital. Colonoscopy revealed a tumor in the sigmoid colon, which was a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. A computed tomography scan showed an appendiceal mass that involved the sigmoid colon, suggesting an appendiceal cancer invading the sigmoid colon. Ileocecal resection with extended lymphadenectomy and en bloc resection of the sigmoid colon was performed. The appendiceal tumor involved the sigmoid colon and the terminal ileum. The ileocecal part which included the tumor and the involved sigmoid colon was resected in total. Macroscopic findings showed that the appendiceal tumor made a fistula with the sigmoid colon. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor was a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma that invaded the sigmoid colon. The final pathological stage was T4bN0M0, stage IIC. The patient was discharged from the hospital uneventfully. She was alive without relapse after a 20-month follow-up. Although an appendiceal tumor invading the rectosigmoid region is rare, a preoperative diagnosis can be obtained that facilitates the planning of a suitable surgical procedure: en bloc resection of the ileocecal part and the rectosigmoid part.

Co-Occurrence of Submucosal Schwannoma and Low-Grade Mucinous Neoplasm in the Appendix, a Clinical Conundrum : A Case Report

Two and more types of tumors rarely occur in the appendix, a constrained space of the human body. We experienced a rare co-occurrence of schwannoma and low-grade mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) in the appendix and obtained a lesson to scrutinize the radiological images in the follow-up period. A computer tomography (CT) performed for surveillance of bile duct stone of a 68-year-old man incidentally detected the appendiceal tumor, which characteristics were not clear at that time, 1-year before admission because of epigastric pain due to acute cholecystitis. CT showed enlargement of tumor in the appendix, and laparoscopic ileocecal resection and cholecystectomy were performed under the diagnosis of acute cholecystectomy and appendiceal tumor. Histopathological examination revealed two types of appendiceal tumors, schwannoma and low-grade appendiceal neoplasm. To the best of our knowledge, co-occurrence of schwannoma and LAMN has never been reported and this complicated our interpretation of clinical images during the course. We report a clinical lesson in handling this rare combination of tumors in the appendix with the relevant literature.