Appendicular Neuroendocrine Tumors in Children

Abstract

Appendicular Neuroendocrine Tumors (ANETs) in pediatric age group are infrequent. Though children may present like symptoms of acute appendicitis, these tumors are incidentally picked up during routine histological examination of resected appendix. We report our experience with ANETs in children from a tertiary care hospital in Arabian Peninsula. During 6-year period, there were 700 appendectomies performed in children (≤14 years) and we collected only 3 cases of ANETs diagnosed from histological examination of resected appendix. Appendectomy alone has been sufficient in all cases and they are disease free at follow-up till 3 years after surgery. We have reviewed the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of these cases. With no typical clinical picture, ANET is usually an incidental finding hence we propose that the review of the histology of resected appendix is mandatory to identify the prevalence of ANETs in pediatric population. For most patients, appendectomy is the appropriate treatment and the outcome is excellent after appendectomy.