Primary mucinous borderline tumor of the vermiform appendix mimicking ovarian carcinoma; case report

Abstract

Introduction: Primary adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix is a very rare entity. Borderline mucinous tumor of the appendix is a much more rare disease. Case: We present a 71-year-old woman with primary mucinous borderline tumor of the vermiform appendix. She was misdiagnosed as an ovarian carcinoma patient and operated on by a gynecologic oncology team. Her frozen section analysis of an appendicial mass resulted as borderline tumor of appendix vermiformis, and right hemicolectomy, as is advised in invasive colon tumors, was not carried out. Conclusion: Borderline mucinous tumor of the appendix vermiformis should be kept in mind in patients who have pseudomyxoma peritonei during surgery. Tumoral resection may be the definitive therapy in these patients.