Appendiceal mantle cell lymphoma presenting as acute appendicitis

Abstract

In 70% of the cases of mantle cell lymphoma, extranodal involvement is the initial manifestation, with the gastrointestinal tract being the most commonly affected site. In approximately 1% of appendectomies, a neoplasm is discovered during the histological examination. We report the case of an 81-year-old male patient with a history stage IV mantle cell lymphoma who presented with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed that the appendix was fully compromised by a diffuse small cell lymphoma. Appendiceal neoplasms are rare, and the diagnosis is made histologically. These neoplasms can be suspected when the diameter of the appendix is > 15 mm. The incidence of appendiceal lymphoma is low. The pathogenesis of lymphoma as a cause of appendicitis remains unknown; however, there are several theories that have been postulated.