Appendix cancer is a rare form of cancer. Because it often has no early symptoms, it can grow either rapidly or slowly. With limited research on the topic, it leaves many of us with questions, such as what appendix cancer really is and what symptoms we might be overlooking. In this blog, we cover those questions and provide important information!
Early Warning Signs & Invisible Symptoms
Appendix cancer is a rare type of cancer that typically does not exhibit early symptoms. Surgeons discover most cases during surgery for appendicitis, which then reveals that appendix cancer is the underlying cause. This type of cancer varies in its growth patterns; some tumors develop very slowly and do not spread significantly, while others can rapidly invade surrounding organs.
Additionally, symptoms only start showing once the cancer has grown in size; those symptoms can include pain in the abdomin/stomach, swelling of the stomach in certain areas, nausea, and feeling full soon after eating.
Risk Factors
Due to the rarity of this type of cancer, there are few studies identifying risk factors beyond age or gender. Unfortunately, appendix cancer can develop at any age, although doctors diagnose the majority of cases in individuals between the ages of 40 and 60.
How Doctors Diagnose it
If you or your doctor worry about appendix cancer, several tests can help you determine the cause of any symptoms. Below, we will dive into those tests!
Text from below was pulled from the Cleveland Clinic; the source is cited below.
- Imaging tests: These tests take pictures of the tissues inside your body. They can show tumors and reveal signs of cancer spread. When it spreads, appendix cancer advances to nearby abdominal organs or the tissue lining them.
- Laparoscopy: Your provider inserts a laparoscope- a long, slender fiber optic instrument- through an incision in your abdomen. A small camera captures images of your appendix and projects them onto a screen.
- Biopsy: During this procedure, your provider takes a tissue sample and sends it to a pathology lab to test for cancer cells. It can be difficult to take a biopsy of the appendix. So if the cancer has potentially spread to another region, your provider will take a sample from that area.
- Blood Tests: If your biopsy results are positive for appendix cancer, then your provider will recommend lab tests to check your protein levels. Specific protein levels can help determine how advanced the cancer is.
Why Awareness is Important / Key Takeaways
Appendix cancer is quite rare, which makes it even more important for people to be aware of its symptomsβalthough early-stage appendix cancer often has minimal or silent symptoms. As mentioned earlier, this type of cancer can easily be mistaken for appendicitis, and many patients do not realize they have it until it has progressed. Staying informed and vigilant could potentially save the life of someone you know or love!
Sources Used:
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, August 8) Appendix Cancer. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22118-appendix-cancer
