Tumors of the appendix.

An analysis of 101 tumors of the appendix is presented. During the period under study (from 1949 to 1972), 8,699 appendectomies had been performed. Only 17 of the 101 tumors were malignant. In this group, there were two primary carcinomas, 12 metastatic carcinomas, and three lymphomas. Most of the tumors (84) were benign, including 43 carcinoids, 32 mucoceles, five neuromas, two leiomyomas, and two villous adenomas, Some of the clinical and pathologic features of carcinoids, adenocarcinoma, and mucoceles are discussed. The most significant observation in this study is the statistically significant evidence that, even without associated acute appendicitis, mucoceles 2 cm or more in diameter probably do cause clinical symptoms, which may be alleivated by appendectomy.