AIM:To determine the prevalence,histologic types and clinical features of primary epithelial tumours of the vermiform appendix in a predominantly black population.METHODS:All cases of primary tumours of the appendix identified by review of the histopathology records at the University of the West Indies between January 1987 and June 2007 were selected.Relevant pathologic and clinical data were extracted with supplementation from patient charts where available.Non-epithelial tumours were excluded.The total number of appendectomy specimens over the period was also ascertained.RESULTS:Forty-two primary epithelial tumours were identified out of 6 824 appendectomies yielding a prevalence rate of approximately 0.62%.Well- differentiated neuroendocrine cell tumours(carcinoids,47.6%)and benign non-endocrine cell tumours(adenomas,45.2%)were most common with nearly equal frequency.The median age was 43 years,with no sex predilection.Carcinoid tumours occurred in younger patients(mean age 32 years),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1.A clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was the most common reason for appendectomy(57.1%)and was histologically confirmed in 75%(18 of 24)of cases.In total,16.7%of cases were diagnosed after incidental appendectomy.CONCLUSION:Appendiceal epithelial tumours arerare in our experience,and are represented principally by carcinoid tumours and adenomas.Carcinoid tumours occurred in younger patients but were slightly more common in men than women.Tumours were not suspected clinically and were diagnosed incidentally in specimens submitted for acute appendicitis supporting the need for histological evaluation in all resection specimens. AIM: To determine the prevalence, histologic types and clinical features of primary epithelial tumors of the vermiform appendix in a predominantly black population. METHODS: All cases of primary tumors of the appendix identified by review of the histopathology records at the University of the West Indies Between January 1987 and June 2007 were selected. Relevant pathologic and clinical data were extracted with supplementation from patient charts where available. Non-epithelial tumors were excluded. The total number of appendectomy specimens over the period was also ascertained .RESULTS: Forty-two primary epithelial tumors were identified out of 6 824 appendectomies yielding a prevalence rate of approximately 0.62% .Well-differentiated neuroendocrine cell tumors (carcinoids, 47.6%) and benign non-endocrine cell tumors (adenomas, 45.2%) were most common with nearly equal frequency The median age was 43 years, with no sex predilection .Carcinoid tumors occurred in younger patients (mean age 32 years ), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2: 1. A clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was the most common reason for appendectomy (57.1%) and was identified as 75% (18 of 24) of cases. 16.7% of cases were diagnosed after incidental appendectomy. CONCLUSION: Appendiceal epithelial tumors arerare in our experience, and are represented substanally by carcinoid tumors and adenomas .Carcinoid tumors occurred in younger patients but were slightly more common in men than women. clinically and were diagnosed incidentally in in specimen submitted for acute appendicitis supporting the need for histological evaluation in all resection specimens.