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Appendix cancer classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Overview

Overview

Appendix cancer is classified according to the histological findings. According to WHO classification, there are four major groups of appendix cancer including epithelial tumors, non-epithelial tumors, secondary tumors, and hyperplastic (metaplastic) polyps. Carcinoid (well differentiated endocrine neoplasm), and adenocarcinoma are two major subtypes of epithelial tumors, making the majority of appendix cancer cases.

Classification

Classification

  • The table below summarizes the different types of appendix cancer according to the WHO classification.
WHO histological classification
Tumors of the appendix (Adapted from WHO/IARC)[1]
Epithelial tumors Non-epithelial tumors Secondary tumors Hyperplastic polyp
  • Adenoma
  • Tubular
  • Villous
  • Tubulovillous
  • Serrated
  • Carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Mucinous adenocarcinoma
  • Signet-ring cell carcinoma
  • Small cell carcinoma
  • Undifferentiated carcinoma
  • Carcinoid (well differentiated endocrine neoplasm)
  • EC-cell, serotonin-producing neoplasm
  • L-cell, glucagon-like peptide
  • and PP/PYY producing tumour
  • others
  • Tubular carcinoid
  • Goblet cell carcinoid (mucinous carcinoid)
  • Mixed carcinoid-adenocarcinoma
  • Others
  • Neuroma
  • Lipoma
  • Leiomyoma
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Kaposi sarcoma
  • Others
  • Malignant lymphoma
References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Chapter 5: Tumours of the Appendix – IARC. https://www.iarc.fr/en/publications/pdfs-online/pat-gen/bb2/bb2-chap5.pdf Accessed on January 15, 2019

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