CARCINOID-TUMORS OF THE APPENDIX IN CHILDREN 1957-1986 - INCIDENCE, TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Forty carcinoid tumours of the appendix were identified in children un der 15 years of age between 1957 and 1986 from the records of the West Midlands Regional Children's Tumour Research Group. A significant exc ess of girls was observed (P = 0.02). All tumours were discovered inci dentally and two patients underwent further surgery. Twenty- two of th e 29 confirmed locations ( 76 per cent) were at the tip of the appendi x and 34 of the 40 tumours (85 per cent) had invaded beyond the append iceal submucosa. The reported incidence rate of 1.14 per million child ren per year remained constant throughout the study period. No recurre nces, metastases or deaths from tumour were detected. Appendicectomy a lone is confirmed as usually curative, although right hemicolectomy is occasionally necessary. Caution during routine appendicectomy, is rec ommended to avoid possible tumour damage, as is consistent histologica l examination of all appendices in the paediatric age group. The impor tance of long-term follow-up is emphasized.