Acute Appendicitis Secondary to Caecal Tumour

Case Report

Abstract

Acute appendicitis in older adults, though relatively uncommon, may represent the initial presentation of an underlying colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The pathogenesis of appendicitis in such cases involves several mechanisms. Direct obstruction of the appendiceal lumen by a colorectal tumour or inflammation and oedema caused by an adjacent neoplasm can trigger appendicitis. Additionally, partial obstruction of the distal colon due to the malignancy may elevate intraluminal pressure, thereby facilitating the onset of appendicitis. Another proposed mechanism is immune-mediated lymphoid hyperplasia associated with malignancy, which can result in luminal obstruction and subsequent appendicitis (1,2).The association between right-sided colon cancer and acute appendicitis was first described by Shears in 1906, and numerous case reports have further corroborated this link (3,4).