Goblet cell carcinomas of the appendix: rare but aggressive neoplasms with challenging management. Issue 2 (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clift, Ashley K; Kornasiewicz, Oskar; Drymousis, Panagiotis; Faiz, Omar; Wasan, Harpreet S; Kinross, James M; Cecil, Thomas; Frilling, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Endocrine connections. Volume 7:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 277
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: appendix -- neuroendocrine tumours -- goblet cell carcinoma -- neoplasm; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; 616.4005
• DOI: 10.1530/EC-17-0311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-3614

Abstract

Abstract : Goblet cell carcinomas (GCC) are a rare, aggressive sub-type of appendiceal tumours with neuroendocrine features, and controversy exists with regards to therapeutic strategy. We undertook a retrospective review of GCC patients surgically treated at two tertiary referral centres. Clinical and histopathological data were extracted from a prospectively maintained database. Survival analyses utilised Kaplan–Meier methodology. Twenty-one patients were identified (9 females). Median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range 32–77). There were 3, 6 and 9 grade 1, 2 and 3 tumours, respectively. One, 10, 5 and 5 patients had stage I, II, III and IV disease at diagnosis, respectively. There were 8, 10 and 3 Tang class A, B and C tumours, respectively. Index operation was appendectomy ( n = 12), right hemicolectomy ( n = 6) or resections including appendix/right colon, omentum and the gynaecological system ( n = 3). Eight patients underwent completion right hemicolectomy. Surgery for recurrence included small bowel resection ( n = 2), debulking with peritonectomy and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (all n = 1). Median follow-up was 30 months (range 2.5–123). One-, 3- and 5-year OS was 79.4, 60 and 60%, respectively. Mean OS (1-, 3-, and 5-year OS) for Tang class A, B and C tumours were 73.1 months (85.7, 85.7, 51.4%), 83.7 months (all 66.7%) and 28.5 months (66.7, 66.7%, not reached), respectively. Chromogranin A/B and 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT were not useful in follow-up, but CEA, CA 19-9, CA 125 and 18 F-FDG PET/CT identified tumour recurrence. GCC must be clearly discriminated from relatively indolent appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms. 18 F-FDG PET/CT and CEA/CA19-9/CA 125 are useful in detecting recurrence of GCC.