Difference between revisions of "Neuroendocrine tumour of the appendix"

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==Gross==
==Gross==
*Classically found in the tip of the appendix.
*Classically found in the tip of the appendix.
*Characteristic yellow cut surface (when fixed)
*Characteristic yellow cut surface post-[[fixation]].
*Circumscribed but not encapsulated
*Circumscribed but not encapsulated.
*Firm (due to desmoplasia)
*Firm (due to desmoplasia).
*Centred in the submucosa
*Centred in the submucosa.
*Nodules that do not usually cause erosion of the overlying mucosa.
*Nodules that do not usually cause erosion of the overlying mucosa.



Revision as of 07:39, 19 March 2015

Neuroendocrine tumour of the appendix is a common tumour of the vermiform appendix. It is also known as appendiceal neuroendocrine tumour, abbreviated appendiceal NET.

It was previously known as appendiceal carcinoid.

General

  • Most common tumour of the appendix.[1]
    • Not really common though - one is seen in approximately 300 appendectomies.[2]

Presentation

    • Often found incidentally, may be microscopic.
    • May cause obstruction leading to mucocele or acute appendicitis.
    • May precipitate torsion.

Size matters in appendiceal NETs:[3]

  • <1.0 cm - do not metastasize.
  • 1.0-2.0 cm - rarely metastasize.

Gross

  • Classically found in the tip of the appendix.
  • Characteristic yellow cut surface post-fixation.
  • Circumscribed but not encapsulated.
  • Firm (due to desmoplasia).
  • Centred in the submucosa.
  • Nodules that do not usually cause erosion of the overlying mucosa.

Image

Microscopic

Features:

  • Classically subepithelial/mural.
  • Various growth patterns:
    • Nested (insular).
    • Trabecular.
    • Palisading.
    • Ribbons, rosettes.
  • Fibrous stroma in between cell groups.
  • Cytomorphology:
    • Monotonous appearance with scanty mitoses.
    • Round central nuclei.
    • Stippled chromatin (AKA salt-and-pepper chromatin and coarse chromatin).
    • Eosinophilic granular cytoplasm.

DDx:

Special Types

  • Tubular carcinoid.
    • Neuroendocrine cells forming tubules (no cell nests).
    • Some tubules can contain mucin.
    • Can be confused with adenocarcinoma.
    • Features suggesting tubular carcinoid (over adenocarcinoma):
      • Arises from base of crypts, with no disruption of surface epithelium.
      • No associated epithelial precursor (no adenomatous change).
      • Neuroendocrine cytologic features, without prominent atypia.
      • IHC (NE markers +ve).
  • Goblet cell carcinoid - dealt with in the article crypt cell carcinoma.
  • Signet-ring cells forming glandular structures.
  • Possibly also with extra-cellular mucin.[citation needed]

Images

www:

IHC

Features:

See also

References

  1. Mitchell, Richard; Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelson; Abbas, Abul K.; Aster, Jon (2011). Pocket Companion to Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (8th ed.). Elsevier Saunders. pp. 435. ISBN 978-1416054542.
  2. Mitra, B.; Pal, M.; Paul, B.; Saha, TN.; Maiti, A. (2013). "Goblet cell carcinoid of appendix: A rare case with literature review.". Int J Surg Case Rep 4 (3): 334-7. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2013.01.007. PMID 23416502.
  3. Modlin, IM.; Lye, KD.; Kidd, M. (Feb 2003). "A 5-decade analysis of 13,715 carcinoid tumors.". Cancer 97 (4): 934-59. doi:10.1002/cncr.11105. PMID 12569593.