BACKGROUND/AIMS This study evaluated the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with secondary appendiceal tumors (SATs).

METHODS We performed a single-center, retrospective study of patients with pathologically confirmed SATs.

RESULTS Among 180 cases of appendiceal malignancies diagnosed between 2000 and 2007, 139 cases (77.2%, 46 male) were SATs. The median age at SAT diagnosis was 55 years. The most common primary origin was the ovary. The mode of appendiceal involvement was metastasis in 122 and invasion in 17 patients. Extra-appendiceal involvement was present in 134 patients. The only manifestation that could be attributed to the SAT itself was appendicitis (n=8). Serosal involvement was predominant. The median survival after diagnosis of SAT was 22.6 months. In the Cox regression analysis, chemotherapy included in the treatment was the only factor associated with prolonged survival (hazards ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.23; p<0.001). Complete resection of the SAT had no influence on survival.

CONCLUSIONS SATs accounted for 77.2% of all pathologically diagnosed appendiceal malignancies. The most common origin was the ovary. SATs were usually associated with widespread disease, and the median survival after SAT diagnosis was 22.6 months. Complete resection of the SAT had no influence on survival.