Metastatic cholangiocarcinoma as a cause of appendicitis: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Metastatic carcinoma that causes appendicitis is extremely rare. To our knowledge, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in the appendix has been reported in only 1 case in the English literature. We report herein the case of an 87-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. Advanced cholangiocellular carcinoma and a proximal appendiceal mass with appendicitis were detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography. After elective laparoscopic appendectomy and wedge resection of the cecum, pathologic results revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma from extrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma in the appendix.