Fistula Formation Secondary to Mucinous Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma May Be Related to a Favorable Prognosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Fistulae involving the appendix: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The appendix has a unique place in surgical history. Although the first ever appendicectomy involved a fistula to the skin, fistulae involving the appendix remain uncommon and can lead to unique surgical considerations.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed for case reports of appendiceal fistulae. We excluded cases in which the patient had a history of appendicectomy. Cases were categorized by site and aetiology, with information regarding relative frequency and demographics obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 301 case reports of fistula involving the appendix were found. The most common sites of these fistulae were to the bladder (148 cases), skin (40 cases), vasculature (19 cases), umbilicus (16 cases) and to the gastrointestinal tract. The most common aetiology in sub-analysis was appendicitis alone (150 cases), with less common causes including appendiceal adenocarcinoma (32 cases) and congenital abnormalities (18 cases). There were significantly more appendiceal fistulae in males than in females, with a ratio of 1.7:1. In patients with appendiceal adenocarcinoma as a cause for fistula, there were significantly more females than males with a ratio of 2.3:1.

CONCLUSION

In conducting a systematic review of case reports of fistulae involving the appendix, we identified 301 unique case reports, with a range of different sites and aetiologies.

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.