Treatment - Appendix Cancer Awareness Month

Abdominal Cancers Alliance
Aug 19
2 min read

Updated: Aug 25

A physician may use some or all of these methods to treat appendix cancer.

1️⃣ CRS/HIPEC: studies show a significant increase in survival, particularly for lower grade types of appendix cancer

2️⃣ Chemotherapy: can be treated with systemic chemotherapy (IV Chemotherapy) and sometimes recommended prior to surgery. Chemotherapy in combination with surgery and/or other novel approaches are considered for higher grade types of appendix cancer. Additionally, chemo is sometimes administered post-operatively.

3️⃣ Surgery: Almost all appendix cancers will be treated with surgery

Appendix cancer is rare and it can often be overlooked, misdiagnosed, or even mistreated. When caught early, many types of appendix cancer are highly treatable. Given the range of aggression and types of different appendix cancers, treatment options will vary. But most appendix cancer diagnoses will be treated with surgery, particularly the CRS/HIPEC procedure.

Follow along with the Abdominal Cancers Alliance and ACPMP all month long as we share information about Appendix Cancer.

Appendix cancer is a rare malignancy, occurring in less than 1% of all appendectomies. [see References: 1] It originates from a malignant, mucinous growth in the appendix, the small tubular organ connected to the colon. Because of its location, these tumors cannot always be detected with a colonoscopy. The exact function of the appendix is unknown, but more recent studies suggest that it may house certain bacteria that aid in digestion and help replenish the digestive tract after a gastrointestinal illness.[2] Appendix cancer is very diverse and includes a variety of distinct types of tumors, ranging from mixed neuroendocrine and goblet cell carcinomas to mucinous adenocarcinomas.

An appendix cancer diagnosis will also include a description of its “grade”. Grade refers to how aggressive the cancer is, which is determined based on how much cancer cells look like normal healthy cells when viewed with a microscope. A less aggressive cancer would be considered low-grade, and a more aggressive cancer would be considered high-grade.

Learn More about Appendix Cancer

Arm yourself—and your loved ones—with the information that matters.