Appendix cancer develops when healthy cells in your appendix mutate and grow out of control, forming a tumor. Healthcare providers usually find tumors during surgery for appendicitis or during an imaging test for an unrelated condition.

Appendix cancer is rare. Most cases of appendix cancer are found when patients are having appendix-related surgeries like appendicitis or unrelated abdominal surgeries and scans. Surgery is the most common treatment option for appendix cancer.

Surgery is the main treatment for appendix cancer. The type of surgery depends on the type of appendix cancer. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs): Often a surgery called a right hemicolectomy is done to remove the appendix, right colon and surrounding lymph nodes.

Surgery is the most common first step in treating localized cancer of the appendix. Depending on the stage of your disease, your surgeon may perform one of the following operations. Appendectomy. If the tumor is not growing into other organs, an appendectomy — removal of the appendix — may be sufficient to remove the cancer. Hemicolectomy

Aug 25, 2021 · Shen says appendix cancer is usually diagnosed in one of two situations. The first is when a patient has surgery to remove the appendix for appendicitis and the doctor finds cancer while examining the organ under a microscope.

Appendix cancer has often spread to the peritoneal surfaces of the abdomen by the time it is discovered. The surgery to remove as much of the cancer in the abdomen as possible, reducing the “bulk” of the cancer is called “ debulking ” or “ cytoreduction ” surgery.

Mar 17, 2023 · An appendectomy is a surgery to remove your appendix. If you have a neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix, removing this pouchlike organ may be part of your treatment plan—especially if the tumor is small.

Most cancers of the appendix are found during surgery for appendicitis or on a CT scan for an unrelated condition. Surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) offer the latest treatments for patients with appendix tumors and appendix cancer.

Early stage appendix cancer may be found during surgery for acute appendicitis or when tests, such as a CT scan, are done for another condition in the abdominal area. If appendix cancer is suspected, the mass is removed and examined by a pathologist to determine if abnormal or cancerous cells are present.

Jun 8, 2022 · Appendix cancer is typically treated with surgery or surgery in combination with chemotherapy. The type of surgery recommended depends on the type and stage of the cancer. As with other types of cancer, treating appendix cancer involves a team of doctors trained in different specialties.