APPENDIX CANCER
What is Appendix Cancer?
Appendix cancer consists of uncontrolled growing cells in the appendix organ, which extends like a blind worm from the cecum, the beginning part of the large intestine.
Important Note
Appendix cancer is very rare (1 in 100,000) and is usually detected incidentally through pathological examination of the appendix removed due to acute appendicitis.
Why Does Appendix Cancer Develop? (Risk Factors)
- More common in smokers (especially in women).
- More common in people with atrophic gastritis.
- More common in people with B12 deficiency (Pernicious Anemia).
Types of Appendix Cancer
Divided into 4 types based on cell type:
- Carcinoid Tumor: The most common (66%) tumor of the appendix. Usually occurs at the tip of the appendix and causes no symptoms.
- Cystadenocarcinoma: Produces mucin (mucous fluid) and can spread into the abdomen.
- Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma: Behaves similarly to colon cancer.
- Adenocarcinoid Tumor
What Are the Symptoms?
Most of the time it does not cause any symptoms. Sometimes it can lead to:
- check_circle Acute appendicitis symptoms
- check_circle Abdominal pain
- check_circle Abdominal swelling (due to fluid accumulation - Ascites)
- check_circle Mass in the tubes (in women)
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnosis is usually made through pathology report after acute appendicitis surgery. In advanced stages, it manifests itself with fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
Treatment Options
- If the tumor is smaller than 2 cm, carcinoid type, and located at the tip, only appendectomy (removal of the appendix) is sufficient.
- If the tumor is larger than 2 cm or has spread to the small intestine root (mesentery), right hemicolectomy (removal of the right side of the large intestine) is performed.
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei and Hot Chemotherapy
If the tumor has ruptured and spread into the abdomen (Pseudomyxoma Peritonei), the abdominal cavity fills with a "jelly-like" fluid (Jelly Belly). In this case, the most effective treatment is:
Cytoreductive Surgery + Hot Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
Complete removal of all visible tumors (Cytoreductive Surgery) followed by Hot Chemotherapy applied during surgery is the gold standard in treating this disease.