Metastasis from prostatic carcinoma causing acute appendicitis: Report of a case

Abstract

Introduction: Metastasis induced acute appendicitis is extremely rare.

Presentation of case: We present a 72-year-old man who presented with typical signs of acute appendicitis. He underwent appendectomy and was successfully discharged without any complication. Histopathological examination diagnosed the metastasis to appendix from prostatic cancer.

Discussion: Cancers of the appendix are rare and usually diagnosed incidentally in approximately 1% of all appendectomies. The rate of perforation was found to be higher in metastasis induced acute appendicitis in comparison with simple acute appendicitis in the literature. Tumors other than primary appendix tumors when present in the appendix are easily recognized as metastatic, requiring immunohistochemical studies.

Conclusion: Metastasis induced acute appendicitis should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when a oncologic patient presents with signs of acute appendicitis.