August is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month

Understanding Appendix Cancer: The Rare and Overlooked Threat

When most people think about cancer, organs like the lungs, breast, or colon often come to mind. But there’s a lesser-known form of cancer quietly lurking in a small, finger-shaped pouch in our digestive system: the appendix. Though rare, appendix cancer can be serious and is often discovered by accident. In this blog post, we’ll explore what appendix cancer is, how it's diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.

What Is Appendix Cancer?
Appendix cancer (or appendiceal cancer) occurs when cells in the appendix grow out of control. The appendix is a small organ located near the beginning of the large intestine. While we still debate its exact function, we do know that it can develop various types of tumors — some benign and others malignant. There are several kinds of appendix cancer, and they don’t all behave the same way. The most common types include:

Neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoids): Slow-growing and often discovered incidentally.
Mucinous adenocarcinoma: Produces mucin and can lead to a condition called pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), where mucus builds up in the abdomen.
Signet ring cell carcinoma: A rare and aggressive type.
Goblet cell carcinoma: A hybrid of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor, usually more aggressive than carcinoids.
 
How Do You Know If You Have It?
That’s the tricky part — most people don’t. Appendix cancer is often found by accident during surgery for appendicitis or other abdominal conditions. When symptoms do appear, they can be vague, such as:

Abdominal pain or bloating
Nausea or vomiting
Changes in bowel habits
A palpable mass in the abdomen
Unexplained weight loss
If cancer is suspected, doctors may order imaging scans like a CT or MRI, along with blood tests for tumor markers. Ultimately, a biopsy or surgical specimen confirms the diagnosis.

What Happens Next?
Treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer. For small, localized neuroendocrine tumors, removing the appendix may be enough. But if the tumor is larger or more aggressive, further surgery (such as a right hemicolectomy) may be needed to remove part of the colon. In cases where cancer has spread to the abdominal cavity — as with mucinous tumors — a specialized procedure called cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may be recommended. This involves removing visible tumors and bathing the abdomen with heated chemotherapy. More aggressive forms of appendix cancer, like signet ring cell or high-grade adenocarcinomas, often require systemic chemotherapy, similar to treatments for colon cancer.

Living with Appendix Cancer
Because it’s rare, being diagnosed with appendix cancer can feel isolating. Many patients and even some healthcare providers may not be familiar with it. That’s why seeking care from a cancer center with experience in treating appendiceal tumors is so important. Survivorship and outcomes vary based on the type of tumor and how early it’s caught. Fortunately, medical research is catching up, with growing interest in personalized therapies and clinical trials focused on rare gastrointestinal cancers.

Conclusion
Appendix cancer may be rare, but it deserves more attention. Raising awareness can lead to earlier detection, better outcomes, and more research funding. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, know that you’re not alone — and that specialized treatments are available. Have questions about appendix cancer or looking for support? Drop them in the comments below or share this blog to spread awareness!