Metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma with appendiceal phlegmon: a case report

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignancies worldwide. Gastric cancer metastasis to the appendix is uncommon in incidence, and has been rarely described in acute-appendicitis-related literature reviews. In this presented case, we have reported a rare case of appendiceal phlegmon, due to a diagnosis of metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma with uncommon symptoms. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department with history of weakness, anorexia, lethargy, and mood changes for 2 months. Abdominopelvic computed tomography showed an abscess in right iliac muscle. After percutaneous drainage of the abscess and 6 weeks antibiotic therapy, an appendectomy was done for the patient. Histopathologic findings revealed the involvement of the appendiceal wall by adenocarcinoma, most probably with gastrointestinal origin. Gastric cancer was confirmed later by upper endoscopy and pathologic report. CONCLUSIONS: Although the presence of tumor in appendectomy specimens is rare, and metastasis to appendix is even rarer, it should be considered as a cause of appendicitis, especially in elderly patients.