Carcinoid tumors of the appendix in children--epidemiology, clinical aspects and procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Incidental detection of a carcinoid tumor of the appendix after appendectomy is often accompanied by uncertainty about the further procedure. The tumor frequency in our own patient population, the further course in these children and a practicable follow-up protocol have to be determined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: All appendectomies performed between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1996, were retrospectively evaluated with regard to carcinoids, monitoring the clinical course, and follow-up of the patients involved.

RESULTS: A total of 4747 appendectomies were performed, 8 children had a histologically manifest carcinoid (0.169%). All patients were symptom-free in the further course, no metastases or signs of a carcinoid were documented during a mean follow-up period of 6.6 years.

CONCLUSION: The youngest patient with a metastasizing carcinoid tumor of the appendix reported in the literature was 19 years old. Nevertheless, all younger patients should undergo regular follow-ups; this is done in our department by serum serotonin and chromogranin A determination.