Goblet Cell Carcinoid, Group A

Small clusters of goblet cells (typical goblet cell carcinoid, group A) with minimal cytologic atypia infiltrating the muscular wall of the appendix. Some of the goblet cells have been replaced by cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells. GCC's occur in the adults (age range 29 to 80 yrs) with a slight female predominance. The presenting symptoms include abdominal pain, palpable mass, and acute appendicitis. Most GCC's present at an advanced clinical stage. Many female patients present with an ovarian mass and a presumptive diagnosis of primary ovarian tumor. This usually turns out to be unilateral or bilateral Krukenberg tumor secondary to the spread of the tumor to the ovaries.