Role of right hemicolectomy in patients with low-grade appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Background: There is little consensus with regards to the most appropriate surgical management for low-grade appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinomas (LAMA), though right hemicolectomy is usually recommended.

Methods: The SEER database was queried for all patients with non-metastatic LAMA. Disease specific and overall survival was compared by surgery type: 1) appendectomy, 2) formal right hemicolectomy 3) non-formal colectomy (including ileocecectomy).

Results: A total of 579 patients with non-metastatic LAMA were identified. 133 (23%), 404 (70%), and 42 (7%) of patients had stage I, II, and III disease, respectively. 99 (17.1%) had appendectomy, 87 (15%) had non-formal colectomy, and 302 (52.2%) had formal right hemicolectomy. We observed no significant differences in disease specific or overall survival by surgery type. Controlling for age and stage, surgery type was not a significant predictor of disease specific or overall survival.

Conclusion: In patients with localized LAMA, right hemicolectomy did not increase disease specific or overall survival. Right hemicolectomy should be reserved for LAMA patients with positive margins post appendectomy.