Four Cases of Cecal Cancer with Appendicitis-like Symptoms

Four cases of cecal cancer with appendicitis-like symptoms were compiled. The initial diagnosis in all cases was acute appendicitis, and therefore surgery was performed. The first case was a 75-year-old male with an initial diagnosis of acute appendicitis. After conservative therapy, barium enema revealed a polyp in the cecum. Colonoscopy was performed and biopsies were taken from the tumor. Histopathology revealed adenocarcinoma, and two weeks later the tumor was surgically removed. Three similar cases are also reported. The following possibilities should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis: 1) acute appendicitis due to obstruction of the lumen by a tumor; 2) synchronous acute appendicitis and cecal cancer; and 3) cancer causing appendicitis-like symptoms.