Letter to the Editor
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Sep 26, 2024; 12(27): 6132-6136
Published online Sep 26, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i27.6132
When the vermiform appendix resembles a polyp: Be cautious of an intussuscepted appendix polypectomy
Raffaele Pellegrino, Antonietta Gerarda Gravina
Raffaele Pellegrino, Antonietta Gerarda Gravina, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples 80138, Italy
Author contributions: Pellegrino R and Gravina AG collected the literature, wrote the initial manuscript, contributed equally to this work, conceptualized the structure of the text, critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, and read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: Https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Antonietta Gerarda Gravina, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. de Crecchio, Naples 80138, Italy. antoniettagerarda.gravina@unicampania.it
Received: February 20, 2024
Revised: July 5, 2024
Accepted: July 10, 2024
Published online: September 26, 2024
Processing time: 159 Days and 16.2 Hours
Abstract

This article discusses a recently published case report on a rare instance of type IV appendiceal intussusception with a concurrent mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cecum in a young individual. The report highlights challenges in diagnosing appendiceal intussusception, emphasizing the importance of endoscopic expertise in preventing impulsive decisions such as inappropriate polypectomies. The rarity of the concurrent intussuscepted appendix and mucinous cecal cancer is underscored, prompting consideration of malignancy in appendiceal intussusception cases. Additionally, the report addresses the increasing incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer and the need for a revaluation of diagnostic paradigms in the context of evolving epidemiological trends. The awareness of potential misinterpretations and the imperative for further investigation into this rare condition are emphasized.

Keywords: Appendiceal intussusception, Colorectal cancer, Early-onset colorectal cancer, Digestive endoscopy, Abdominal pain, Bloody stools, Diarrhea

Core Tip: This article examines a recently published case report detailing a unique instance of type IV appendiceal intussusception complicated by mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cecum in a 20-year-old individual. The report emphasizes diagnostic challenges, particularly in distinguishing appendiceal intussusception from polyps, and underscores the necessity for endoscopic expertise to guide appropriate interventions. Furthermore, it discusses the rarity of concurrent occurrences of intussuscepted appendix and mucinous cecal cancer, highlighting the importance of considering malignancy in such cases. The article also addresses the increasing incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer, advocating for a reassessment of diagnostic approaches in light of evolving epidemiological trends.