Treatment for appendicitis in cancer patients on chemotherapy: a retrospective cohort study
10.4174/astr.2024.107.1.1
- Author:
Hyung Hwan KIM
1
;
Sung Sil PARK
;
Byung Chang KIM
;
Kyung Su HAN
;
Bun KIM
;
Chang Won HONG
;
Dae Kyung SOHN
;
Kiho YOU
;
Dong Woon LEE
;
Sung Chan PARK
Author Information
1. Center for Colorectal Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research
2024;107(1):1-7
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:EN
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Whether to perform surgery or conservatively manage appendicitis in immunosuppressed patients is a concern for clinicians. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these 2 treatment options for appendicitis in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
Methods:This retrospective study included 206 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between August 2001 and December 2021. Among them, patients who received chemotherapy within 1 month were divided into surgical and conservative groups. We evaluated the outcomes, including treatment success within 1 year, 1-year recurrence, and the number of days from the diagnosis of appendicitis to chemotherapy restart, between the 2 groups.
Results:Among the 206 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis, 78 received chemotherapy within 1 month. The patients were divided into surgery (n = 63) and conservative (n = 15) groups. In the surgery group, the duration of antibiotic therapy (7.0 days vs. 16.0 days, P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (8.0 days vs. 27.5 days, P = 0.002) were significantly shorter than conservative groups. The duration from the diagnosis of appendicitis to the restart of chemotherapy was shorter in the surgery group (20.8 ± 15.1 days vs. 35.2 ± 28.2 days, P = 0.028). The treatment success rate within 1 year was higher in the surgery group (100% vs. 33.3%, P < 0.001).
Conclusion:Surgical treatment showed a significantly higher success rate than conservative treatment for appendicitis in patients less than 1 month after chemotherapy. Further prospective studies will be needed to clinically determine treatment options.
