Carcinoid tumors of the appendix in children: Two case reports and review of the literature

Carcinoid is the most common tumor of the appendix. Reported incidence in p ediatric population is 1 per 100,000 per annum. Clinical presentation like acute appendicitis is frequent, but carcinoid tumor can be an incidental fi nding during surgical procedures other than appendectomy. Size and depth of invasion are important prognostic criteria and tumors larger than 2 cm met astasize more frequently than smaller ones. Simile appendectomy is consider ed appropriate treatment, while right colectomy is indicated in tumor bigge r than 2 cm. The authors report 2 cases of carcinoid tumors of the appendix in children, smaller than 2 cm treated with appendectomy alone, and diseas e free at follow-up.