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Appendix Cancer - Types, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis

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Appendix cancer is a rare variant of cancer that develops in the appendix. Read this article to know more.

Written by

Dr. Lochana .k

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Arvind Guru

Published At February 19, 2021
Reviewed AtFebruary 2, 2023

What Is an Appendix?

An appendix is an organ that is found near the intestine. It is situated in the lower right part of the abdomen. Many researchers say that the appendix is an organ that has no useful function or very few functions. Other medical reports suggest that the appendix plays an important role in maintaining the gut health of the individual. In addition to this, it can also contribute to the functioning of the lymphatic system. It is approximately four inches long and attaches to the intestine. There are higher possibilities for the appendix to get infected and result in a condition called appendicitis.

What Is Appendix Cancer?

Cancer is an abnormal and disastrous growth in any part of the healthy tissue. The tremendous growth might decrease the functioning of the cells. When the abnormal cells outweigh the normal cells, it might result in the formation of the tumor or cancer. It can be benign or malignant according to the cells and tissues involved. A type of cancer that originates in the cells of the appendix is known as appendix cancer. It is also known as appendiceal cancer. It is a very rare type of cancer. Less than 100,000 patients have been reported to have appendix cancer in the United States of America.

What Are the Types of Appendix Cancer?

There are different types of appendix cancer:

  • Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix. The mucinous adenocarcinoma can affect both the male and female gender. It can affect people who are more than 60 years of age. The adenocarcinoma is classified as high-grade and low-grade types.

  • Colonic-Type Adenocarcinoma. Only ten percent of the cancers belong to this category. I might resemble colon cancer. Men are most commonly affected by this type of cancer than women. Aged people have a higher possibility of occurrence.

  • Neuroendocrine Carcinoma. The other name for neuroendocrine carcinoma is known as carcinoid tumor. These cells are formed within the walls of the bowel. Most of the appendix cancers belong to this category. This type of cancer has a severe potential to spread and can be treated well with surgical options.

  • Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma: Goblet cells are found in the respiratory tract and intestinal tract. In this type of cancer, the goblet cells are affected.

  • Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma: Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is the most aggressive of all the types. It is usually in association with the mucinous adenocarcinoma and colonic-type adenocarcinoma.

  • Paraganglioma: Paraglioma is a type of appendix tumor that can affect the nervous tissues. Paraganglia are found almost near the adrenal glands. Many blood vessels and nerves that are seen near the head and neck region are involved.

  • Appendiceal Mucoceles: Mucoceles refers to the sacs or the swelling that are found on the walls of the appendix. Mucinous cystadenomas and mucinous cystadenocarcinomas are the two variants of appendiceal mucoceles. Mucinous cystadenomas are similar to the interstitial polyps, and they do not spread. It is usually a benign condition. Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a malignant type and severely involves other organs.

What Are the Symptoms of Appendix Cancer?

The symptoms of appendix cancer are:

  • Hernia.

  • Bloated abdomen.

  • Discomfort in the lower right abdomen.

  • Severe abdominal pain.

  • Obstruction of the bowel.

  • Ovarian masses.

  • Diarrhea.

The malignant form of appendix cancer develops on the surface of the spleen, uterus, liver, ovaries, and peritoneum.

What Are the Risk Factors Associated With Appendix Cancer?

The risk factors associated with appendix cancer are:

  • Atrophic Gastritis: It is an inflammation in the lining of the stomach.

  • Pernicious Anemia: Pernicious anemia refers to the deficiency of vitamin B-12.

  • Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: It is a rare condition in which the digestive tract is affected. In this condition, the formation of tumors called gastrinoma might occur.

  • Smoking.

  • Having a family history of appendix cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) disorder.

How Is Appendix Cancer Diagnosed?

Appendix cancer does not produce any symptoms in the initial stages. It might be accidentally revealed during the imaging session of any other conditions like appendicitis. Sometimes doctors identify appendix cancer after the complete removal of the appendix.

Imaging techniques like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography), and ultrasound procedures can be helpful. Computed tomography is the most preferred scan for most patients. For more precise images, magnetic resonance imaging is recommended by doctors. Blood tests are mostly not helpful for appendix cancer. In some cases, a biopsy is recommended by the doctor where the sample tissue is collected from the involved site and sent for microscopic diagnosis. Most reliable results can be obtained in this technique.

What Are the Treatment Options for Appendix Cancer?

The treatment is planned according to the following criteria:

  • Any other underlying health conditions of the individual.

  • Family history of the patient.

  • Type of cancer involvement.

  • Spreading of cancer.

If the cancer involvement is seen only in the appendix, then minor surgery is sufficient to cure the condition. If cancer has spread to other regions, then surgery is required to remove the cancerous tissue from that site also. This might commonly include ovaries, peritoneum, and intestine.

The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons suggests a hemicolectomy in which the right half of the colon is removed. This method is preferred if the size of the cancer is more than two centimeters.

How Is the Prognosis for Appendix Cancer?

The prognosis for appendix cancer is predicted by the American Society for Clinical Oncology, where the average age is estimated to be around five years. This estimation of five years is grouped according to the following:

  • If the cancer is less than three centimeters without any other site involvement or spreading, the prognosis is 100 percent.

  • If the cancer is less than three centimeters along with spreading, the prognosis is 78 percent.

  • If cancer is more than three centimeters, the prognosis is 78 percent.

  • In cases of severe involvement of other sites, the prognosis is only 32 percent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Is Appendix Cancer Curable?

We can successfully treat appendix cancer with surgery if it is localized. The surgery includes removing the tumor along with little of the surrounding normal tissues to prevent further spread and recurrence. The survival rate of appendix cancer is 88 percent if it is localized.

2.

How Deadly Is Appendix Cancer?

The appendix is a thin-walled, long, finger-like projection in the right colon. Because of its structure, the tumor can quickly spread in the abdominal cavity and cause serious complications.

3.

Can Anyone Survive Stage 4 Appendix Cancer?

The survival rate of stage 4 appendix cancer is very low because it is a severe condition. The overall survival rate is only 46 percent, and therefore ongoing treatment is required to increase the survival rate.

4.

Who Is at Risk of Appendix Cancer?

The people who are at risk for appendix cancer are:
- Smokers.
- Patients with a family history of appendix cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, also known as Wermer syndrome or endocrine adenomatosis, have a higher risk for appendix cancer.

5.

Can Colonoscopy Be Used to Detect Appendix Cancer?

Appendix cancer is sporadic because its causes and prevention are still not known. Since it is very hard to detect, it can be accidentally detected while doing a preventive colonoscopy for colon cancer.

6.

Where Can Appendix Cancer Spread To?

Appendix cancer can be localized, but can also spread outside the appendix to the colon, rectum, small intestine, and stomach. It is regional when it spreads to the nearby lymph nodes and tissues, and metastatic when it spreads to other parts of the body.

7.

How Prevalent Is Appendix Cancer?

Most cases of appendix cancer occur after the surgery for acute appendicitis. It can happen at any age and is most commonly seen in the sixth decade of life.

8.

How Does Appendix Cancer Begin?

Appendix cancer begins when the DNA in the appendix's cells gets mutated and grows rapidly. This appendix tumor or growth will break through the appendix and form a mucin-like fluid that will flow into the abdominal cavity and stop the functions of the digestive organs like the small bowel, colon, and liver.

9.

How Do You Feel If You Have Appendix Cancer?

Appendix cancer does not cause any symptoms, but the most common symptoms are a larger belly and bloating. The less common symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, hard stools, or diarrhea.

10.

Can Cancer from the Appendix Spread to the Lungs?

The appendix usually forms a small amount of mucus; therefore, these tumors in the appendix may form a large amount of mucin-like thick fluid in the belly, which may spread to the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes.
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Dr. Lochana .k
Dr. Lochana .k

Dentistry

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