Villous adenoma of the appendix. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Appendix villous adenoma is a rare pathological entity that shows a particular form of clinical presentation that is different from villous adenomas in other places along the gastrointestinal tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed cases of appendix villous adenoma diagnosed in our hospital during the last five years; we studied age, distribution, sex, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods used, treatment and follow-up of patients. RESULTS: We diagnosed 6 cases of villous adenoma of the appendix, acute appendicitis being the most common form of clinical presentation. Treatment was appendectomy in two cases, right hemicolectomy in two patients, subtotal colectomy in one case, and Hartmann's technique with appendectomy in one more case. CONCLUSIONS: We consider appendectomy the treatment of choice when no malignant degeneration is present in the adenoma and invasion of surgical resection borders is absent.