Adenocarcinoma of the appendix

LTHOUGH primary adcnocarcinoma of the appendix is rare, casual perusal of the surgical literature gives the erroneous impression of a much higher incidence. There are several reasons for this paradox. Prior to 1930, many authors failed to distinguish adequately between genuine adenocarcinoma and the tumor that we now designate as carcinoid. Even as late as 1942, one author4 suggested that carcinoids be classed as "Grade I adenocarcinoma (carcinoid) ." Another difficulty lies in the occasional failure to segregate the numerous cases of adenocarcinoma that arise in the cecum and secondarily invade the appendix. Hence, Young and Wyman, who reported one case in 1942, stated that they could find but four other unquestioned cases of adenocarcinoma of the appendix-two in the American, and two in the German, literature.